<div class="infobox infobox-protein"> | Property | Value | |----------|-------| | Protein Name | Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunit alpha-3 | | Gene | [CHRNA3](/genes/chrna3) | | UniProt ID | [P30532](https://www.uniprot.org/uniprot/P30532) | | PDB ID | 5KLE, 6PV6 | | Molecular Weight | ~57 kDa | | Subcellular Localization | Plasma membrane (neuronal/autonomic ligand-gated ion channel) | | Protein Family | Cys-loop receptor family; Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor | </div>
Overview
Nicotinic [acetylcholine](/entities/acetylcholine) receptor subunit alpha-3 is a protein encoded by the [CHRNA3](/genes/chrna3) gene that chrna3-containing receptors are widely expressed in the nervous system:. This page describes its structure, normal nervous system function, role in neurodegenerative disease, and potential as a therapeutic target.
Structure
CHRNA3 encodes the alpha-3 subunit of neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). Like other nAChR subunits:
Extracellular N-terminal domain: Contains the ligand-binding site
Cys-loop motif: Conserved sequence critical for receptor function
Four transmembrane helices (M1-M4): Form the ion conduction pathway
Intracellular loop: Contains trafficking signals and regulatory sites
CHRNA3 commonly assembles with CHRNA5, CHRNB2, CHRNB4, and CHRNA6 subunits to form functional receptor complexes in autonomic ganglia and certain brain regions.
Normal Function
CHRNA3-containing receptors are widely expressed in the nervous system:
...
CHRNA3 Protein
<div class="infobox infobox-protein"> | Property | Value | |----------|-------| | Protein Name | Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunit alpha-3 | | Gene | [CHRNA3](/genes/chrna3) | | UniProt ID | [P30532](https://www.uniprot.org/uniprot/P30532) | | PDB ID | 5KLE, 6PV6 | | Molecular Weight | ~57 kDa | | Subcellular Localization | Plasma membrane (neuronal/autonomic ligand-gated ion channel) | | Protein Family | Cys-loop receptor family; Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor | </div>
Overview
Nicotinic [acetylcholine](/entities/acetylcholine) receptor subunit alpha-3 is a protein encoded by the [CHRNA3](/genes/chrna3) gene that chrna3-containing receptors are widely expressed in the nervous system:. This page describes its structure, normal nervous system function, role in neurodegenerative disease, and potential as a therapeutic target.
Structure
CHRNA3 encodes the alpha-3 subunit of neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). Like other nAChR subunits:
Extracellular N-terminal domain: Contains the ligand-binding site
Cys-loop motif: Conserved sequence critical for receptor function
Four transmembrane helices (M1-M4): Form the ion conduction pathway
Intracellular loop: Contains trafficking signals and regulatory sites
CHRNA3 commonly assembles with CHRNA5, CHRNB2, CHRNB4, and CHRNA6 subunits to form functional receptor complexes in autonomic ganglia and certain brain regions.
Normal Function
CHRNA3-containing receptors are widely expressed in the nervous system:
Autonomic ganglionic transmission: Mediates fast synaptic transmission in autonomic ganglia
Presynaptic modulation: Regulates release of various neurotransmitters
Sensory processing: Involved in pain signaling and visceral sensory transduction