Neuronal acetylcholine receptor α3β4 subunit combination (α3β4 nAChR)

The neuronal acetylcholine receptor α3β4 is a heteropentameric ligand-gated ion channel of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) superfamily, primarily composed of alpha-3 (CHRNA3) and beta-4 (CHRNB4) subunits[2][7][4]. It is highly expressed in the autonomic ganglia—serving as a principal relay between the peripheral and central nervous systems—and in select brain regions involved in reward and addiction pathways[2][7]. Like other nAChRs, the α3β4 receptor is activated by acetylcholine and nicotine, resulting in rapid postsynaptic excitation due to increased sodium and potassium permeability[2][4]. This receptor subtype plays key roles in autonomic neurotransmission, addiction biology, pain pathways, and is a pharmacological target for compounds modulating these processes[2][3][4][7]. Its structure includes a large extracellular ligand-binding domain, four transmembrane regions per subunit, and a central ion-conducting pore[1][5][7]. Drugs acting on this receptor can be used experimentally to study autonomic function and are being explored as therapeutics for addiction, but may also induce significant side effects related to autonomic blockade or stimulation[2].

Other names

Alpha-3 beta-4 nicotinic acetylcholine receptorα3β4 nicotinic receptorGanglion-type nicotinic receptorα3β4 nAChR

Agonism (channel opening, membrane depolarization, cation influx, especially sodium and potassium); Partial agonism (some ligands); Competitive antagonism (binds receptor, blocks agonist); Noncompetitive antagonism (binds allosteric site, inhibits channel function); Channel blockade (prevents ion flow)