<div class="infobox infobox-protein"> | Property | Value | |----------|-------| | Protein Name | Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunit alpha-2 | | Gene | [CHRNA2](/genes/chrna2) | | UniProt ID | [P43681](https://www.uniprot.org/uniprot/P43681) | | PDB ID | 6PV6, 7KQ7 | | Molecular Weight | ~56 kDa | | Subcellular Localization | Plasma membrane (neuronal ligand-gated ion channel) | | Protein Family | Cys-loop receptor family; Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor | </div>
Overview
Nicotinic [acetylcholine](/entities/acetylcholine) receptor subunit alpha-2 is a protein encoded by the [CHRNA2](/genes/chrna2) gene that chrna2-containing receptors are expressed in the central and peripheral nervous system:. This page describes its structure, normal nervous system function, role in neurodegenerative disease, and potential as a therapeutic target.
Structure
CHRNA2 encodes the alpha-2 subunit of neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). These receptors are pentameric ligand-gated ion channels typically composed of alpha and beta subunits:
N-terminal extracellular domain: Contains the acetylcholine binding site at alpha-beta subunit interfaces
Cys-loop motif: Conserved feature of the Cys-loop receptor superfamily
Transmembrane domains (M1-M4): Form the channel pore
Intracellular loop: Contains sites for phosphorylation and trafficking signals
CHRNA2 typically co-assembles with CHRNA4, CHRNA7, or CHRNB2/3/4 to form functional receptors.
Normal Function
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CHRNA2 Protein
<div class="infobox infobox-protein"> | Property | Value | |----------|-------| | Protein Name | Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunit alpha-2 | | Gene | [CHRNA2](/genes/chrna2) | | UniProt ID | [P43681](https://www.uniprot.org/uniprot/P43681) | | PDB ID | 6PV6, 7KQ7 | | Molecular Weight | ~56 kDa | | Subcellular Localization | Plasma membrane (neuronal ligand-gated ion channel) | | Protein Family | Cys-loop receptor family; Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor | </div>
Overview
Nicotinic [acetylcholine](/entities/acetylcholine) receptor subunit alpha-2 is a protein encoded by the [CHRNA2](/genes/chrna2) gene that chrna2-containing receptors are expressed in the central and peripheral nervous system:. This page describes its structure, normal nervous system function, role in neurodegenerative disease, and potential as a therapeutic target.
Structure
CHRNA2 encodes the alpha-2 subunit of neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). These receptors are pentameric ligand-gated ion channels typically composed of alpha and beta subunits:
N-terminal extracellular domain: Contains the acetylcholine binding site at alpha-beta subunit interfaces
Cys-loop motif: Conserved feature of the Cys-loop receptor superfamily
Transmembrane domains (M1-M4): Form the channel pore
Intracellular loop: Contains sites for phosphorylation and trafficking signals
CHRNA2 typically co-assembles with CHRNA4, CHRNA7, or CHRNB2/3/4 to form functional receptors.
Normal Function
CHRNA2-containing receptors are expressed in the central and peripheral nervous system:
Presynaptic modulation: Regulates neurotransmitter release including glutamate, GABA, and dopamine
Sensory processing: Involved in auditory and visual processing pathways