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Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor α4β2 Subtype (nAChR α4β2)
- Target
- nAChR α4β2
- Molecular classification
- Ligand-gated ion channel, Receptor
01
Overview
The nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) α4β2 subtype is a ligand-gated ion channel composed of α4 and β2 subunits. It is the most abundant nAChR subtype in the mammalian brain and plays critical roles in cognition, reward, mood regulation, nociception, and synaptic transmission. This receptor is also the primary biological target mediating nicotine’s addictive properties due to its high affinity for nicotine.
- Other names
- alpha4beta2 nAChRα4β2 nAChR
02
Mechanism of action
Activation leads to increased Na⁺ and K⁺ permeability across neuronal membranes, resulting in post- and presynaptic excitation within neural circuits
03
Biological functions
Synaptic transmissionPostsynaptic excitationPresynaptic excitationGrowth hormone secretionModulation of neural circuits
04
Disease associations
Alzheimer’s diseaseParkinson’s diseaseEpilepsySchizophreniaDepressionAnxiety disordersTourette's syndromeStress-related conditionsNicotine addiction
05
Safety considerations
Upregulation by chronic nicotine exposureChanges in subunit composition altering drug responsePotential modulation by inflammatory cytokines
06
Interacting drugs
Acetylcholine
3 more in the full profile.
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