Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor α9α10 (nAChR α9α10)

The nicotinic acetylcholine receptor α9α10 is a heteromeric ion channel composed of α9 and α10 subunits, primarily expressed in inner ear hair cells where it mediates olivocochlear efferent control of auditory and vestibular sensory processing. This receptor plays a critical role in sound discrimination and protection against acoustic trauma through cholinergic neurotransmission. The α9α10 receptor is also distributed in the central and peripheral nervous system, where it participates in pain regulation and other physiological processes. A distinctive feature of this receptor is its strict dependence on ligand binding for both assembly and surface expression, distinguishing it from most other nicotinic receptors. Mutations in genes encoding auxiliary subunits required for α9α10 function (TMIE and TMEM132e) cause human deafness, highlighting the therapeutic importance of this receptor for hearing restoration.

Other names

Hair cell nicotinic acetylcholine receptorHeteromeric nicotinic acetylcholine receptor containing α9 and α10 subunitsNeuronal acetylcholine receptor subunit alpha-9 (CHRNA9)Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor α10 subunit

Drugs targeting this receptor would modulate ion channel activity through ligand binding at the orthosteric site between α9 and α10 subunits, affecting calcium and other ion permeability.