CHRNA7

Neuronal acetylcholine receptor subunit alpha-7 is a is_associated_with::protein that in humans is encoded by the CHRNA7 is_associated_with::gene.

Function
The nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are members of a superfamily of is_associated_with::ligand-gated ion channels that mediate fast signal transmission at synapses. The nAChRs are thought to be hetero-pentamers composed of homologous subunits. The proposed structure for each subunit is a conserved N-terminal extracellular domain followed by three conserved transmembrane domains, a variable cytoplasmic loop, a fourth conserved transmembrane domain, and a short C-terminal extracellular region. The protein encoded by this gene forms a is_associated_with::homo-oligomeric channel, displays marked permeability to calcium ions and is a major component of brain nicotinic receptors that are blocked by, and highly sensitive to, is_associated_with::alpha-bungarotoxin. Once this receptor binds is_associated_with::acetylcholine, it undergoes an extensive change in conformation that affects all subunits and leads to opening of an ion-conducting channel across the plasma membrane. This gene is located in a region identified as a major susceptibility locus for juvenile is_associated_with::myoclonic epilepsy and a chromosomal location involved in the genetic transmission of is_associated_with::schizophrenia. An evolutionarily recent partial duplication event in this region results in a hybrid containing sequence from this gene and a novel FAM7A gene.

Interactions
CHRNA7 has been shown to interact with is_associated_with::FYN.

Gene Expression
The CHRNA7 gene is primarily expressed in the posterior is_associated_with::amygdalar nucleus and the field CA3 of is_associated_with::Ammon's horn in the mouse, and in the is_associated_with::mammillary body in humans. Gene expression patterns from the is_associated_with::Allen Brain Atlases can be seen here.