Anti-CHRNA6

This gene encodes an alpha subunit of neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. These receptors consist of five subunits and function as ion channels involved in neurotransmission. The encoded protein is a subunit of neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors that mediate dopaminergic neurotransmission and are activated by acetylcholine and exogenous nicotine. Alternatively spliced transcript variants have been observed for this gene. Single nucleotide polymorphisms in this gene have been associated with both nicotine and alcohol dependence. Protein function: After binding acetylcholine, the AChR responds by an extensive change in conformation that affects all subunits and leads to opening of an ion-conducting channel across the plasma membrane. [The UniProt Consortium]