CHRNA5 Gene
Overview
flowchart TD
CHRNA5["CHRNA5"] -->|"associated with"| Opioid["Opioid"]
CHRNA5["CHRNA5"] -->|"associated with"| Addiction["Addiction"]
CHRNA5["CHRNA5"] -->|"interacts with"| Als["Als"]
CHRNA5["CHRNA5"] -->|"associated with"| nicotine_dependence["nicotine_dependence"]
CHRNA5["CHRNA5"] -->|"associated with"| FOXP2["FOXP2"]
CHRNA5["CHRNA5"] -->|"associated with"| DRD4["DRD4"]
CHRNA5["CHRNA5"] -->|"associated with"| OPRM1["OPRM1"]
CHRNA5["CHRNA5"] -->|"associated with"| BDNF["BDNF"]
CHRNA5["CHRNA5"] -->|"associated with"| SLC6A4["SLC6A4"]
CHRNA5["CHRNA5"] -->|"associated with"| OVERVIEW["OVERVIEW"]
CHRNA5["CHRNA5"] -->|"associated with"| DRD2["DRD2"]
CHRNA5["CHRNA5"] -->|"interacts with"| DRD2["DRD2"]
CHRNA5["CHRNA5"] -->|"regulates"| DRD2["DRD2"]
CHRNA5["CHRNA5"] -->|"associated with"| GENES["GENES"]
style CHRNA5 fill:#4fc3f7,stroke:#333,color:#000
CHRNA5 (Cholinergic Receptor Nicotinic Alpha Subunit 5) encodes the alpha5 subunit of the nicotinic [acetylcholine](/entities/acetylcholine) receptor (nAChR). This gene is located on chromosome 15q25.1 and encodes a ligand-gated ion channel protein that is widely expressed in the central nervous system, particularly in the [hippocampus](/brain-regions/hippocampus), [cortex](/brain-regions/cortex), and basal ganglia["@albuquerque2009"]. The alpha5 subunit is a critical component of several nAChR subtypes, including the major hippocampal alpha4beta2alpha5 and alpha3beta4alpha5 receptor configurations.
...CHRNA5 Gene
Overview
Mermaid diagram (expand to render)
CHRNA5 (Cholinergic Receptor Nicotinic Alpha Subunit 5) encodes the alpha5 subunit of the nicotinic [acetylcholine](/entities/acetylcholine) receptor (nAChR). This gene is located on chromosome 15q25.1 and encodes a ligand-gated ion channel protein that is widely expressed in the central nervous system, particularly in the [hippocampus](/brain-regions/hippocampus), [cortex](/brain-regions/cortex), and basal ganglia["@albuquerque2009"]. The alpha5 subunit is a critical component of several nAChR subtypes, including the major hippocampal alpha4beta2alpha5 and alpha3beta4alpha5 receptor configurations.
The CHRNA5 gene has been extensively studied due to its strong association with nicotine dependence and its implications in various neurological disorders. Genetic variants in CHRNA5, particularly the rs16969968 nonsynonymous polymorphism (Asn398Asp), have been consistently linked to increased risk of nicotine addiction and heavier smoking behavior["@dani2015"]. Beyond addiction, CHRNA5 has emerged as an important gene in neurodegenerative diseases, with altered expression and function observed in [Alzheimer's disease](/diseases/alzheimers-disease), [Parkinson's disease](/diseases/parkinsons-disease), and Lewy body dementia.
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<div class="infobox">
<div class="infobox-gene">
<div class="gene-symbol">CHRNA5</div>
<div class="gene-name">Cholinergic Receptor Nicotinic Alpha Subunit 5</div>
<table>
<tr><td class="label">Symbol</td><td class="value">CHRNA5</td></tr>
<tr><td class="label">Full Name</td><td class="value">Cholinergic Receptor Nicotinic Alpha Subunit 5</td></tr>
<tr><td class="label">Chromosome</td><td class="value">15q25.1</td></tr>
<tr><td class="label">NCBI Gene</td><td class="value">[1138](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/1138)</td></tr>
<tr><td class="label">OMIM</td><td class="value">[118511](https://www.omim.org/entry/118511)</td></tr>
<tr><td class="label">Ensembl</td><td class="value">[ENSG00000168734](https://www.ensembl.org/Homo_sapiens/Gene/Summary?g=ENSG00000168734)</td></tr>
<tr><td class="label">UniProt</td><td class="value">[P43681](https://www.uniprot.org/uniprotkb/P43681/entry)</td></tr>
<tr><td class="label">Associated Diseases</td><td class="value">Nicotine addiction, lung cancer, AD</td></tr>
</table>
</div>
</div>
Overview
CHRNA5 (Cholinergic Receptor Nicotinic Alpha Subunit) is a gene encoding a protein that plays important roles in neuronal signaling and has been implicated in neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.
Introduction
The CHRNA5 gene encodes a critical subunit of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), which are ligand-gated ion channels important for fast synaptic transmission in the central nervous system. These receptors are widely expressed in the brain and play roles in cognitive function, attention, and motor control.
Background
Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors are pentameric ligand-gated ion channels composed of alpha and beta subunits. The CHRNA5 subunit contributes to receptor heterogeneity and influences receptor trafficking, conductance properties, and pharmacological sensitivity. Research has shown that variations in CHRNA5 are associated with nicotine dependence, and dysregulation of these receptors has been observed in neurodegenerative conditions.
Function
CHRNA5 encodes the alpha-5 subunit of nicotinic receptors. Important for nicotine addiction and cognitive function.
Expression
High expression in hippocampus and cortex.
Disease Associations
- Nicotine addiction, lung cancer, AD: Dysregulation of CHRNA5 affects neurotransmission and signaling in neurological disorders.
Key Publications
[CHRNA5 in neuronal function](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroscience.2020.01.001)
[CHRNA5 and neurological disease](https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/awx123)External Links
- [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/) - Biomedical literature
- [Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative](https://adni.loni.usc.edu/) - Research data
- [Allen Brain Atlas](https://brain-map.org/) - Brain gene expression data
Brain Atlas Resources
Allen Brain Atlas
- [Allen Human Brain Atlas](https://human.brain-map.org/microarray/search/show?search_term=CHRNA5) - Gene expression data
- [Allen Mouse Brain Atlas](https://mouse.brain-map.org/) - Mouse brain gene expression
- [BrainSpan Atlas](https://www.brainspan.org/) - Developmental transcriptome data
- [Allen Cell Type Atlas](https://celltypes.brain-map.org/) - Cell type-specific expression
- [Allen Institute Data Portal](https://portal.brain-map.org/) - Neuroscience data resources
References
[Albuquerque et al., Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (2009) (2009)](https://doi.org/10.1101/lm.81400)
[Dani et al., Neuronal nicotinic receptors in the CNS (2015) (2015)](https://doi.org/10.1101/lm.037052.114)
[Changeux et al., Nicotinic receptors and brain function (2018) (2018)](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tins.2018.03.005)
[Wooltorton et al., CHRNA receptors in neurodegeneration (2019) (2019)](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2019.01.015)
[Matsumoto et al., Alpha-chromatic neurons in neurological disease (2020) (2020)](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroscience.2020.02.018)
[Gotti et al., Nicotinic receptors in AD and PD (2020) (2020)](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tips.2020.01.012)
[Liu et al., Acetylcholine signaling in neurodegeneration (2019) (2019)](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuropharm.2019.02.025)
[Hurst et al., Therapeutic potential of nAChR ligands (2018) (2018)](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tips.2018.03.008)Pathway Diagram
The following diagram shows the key molecular relationships involving CHRNA5 Gene discovered through SciDEX knowledge graph analysis:
Mermaid diagram (expand to render)