Biology:CHRNA6

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Short description: Protein-coding gene in the species Homo sapiens


A representation of the 3D structure of the protein myoglobin showing turquoise α-helices.
Generic protein structure example

Cholinergic receptor, nicotinic, alpha 6, also known as nAChRα6, is a protein that in humans is encoded by the CHRNA6 gene.[1] The CHRNA6 gene codes for the α6 nicotinic receptor subunit that is found in certain types of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors found primarily in the brain. Neural nicotinic acetylcholine receptors containing α6 subunits are expressed on dopamine-releasing neurons in the midbrain,[2][3] and dopamine release following activation of these neurons is thought to be involved in the addictive properties of nicotine.[4][5][6] Due to their selective localisation on dopaminergic neurons, α6-containing nACh receptors have also been suggested as a possible therapeutic target for the treatment of Parkinson's disease.[7][8] In addition to nicotine, research in animals has implicated alpha-6-containing nAChRs in the abusive and addictive properties of ethanol, with mecamylamine demonstrating a potent ability to block these properties.

Interactive pathway map

See also

References

  1. "Entrez Gene: CHRNA6 cholinergic receptor, nicotinic, alpha 6". https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?Db=gene&Cmd=ShowDetailView&TermToSearch=8973. 
  2. *"Neuronal nicotinic receptor alpha 6 subunit mRNA is selectively concentrated in catecholaminergic nuclei of the rat brain". Eur. J. Neurosci. 8 (11): 2428–2439. 1996. doi:10.1111/j.1460-9568.1996.tb01206.x. PMID 8950106. 
  3. Meyer, EL; Yoshikami, D; McIntosh, JM (2008). "The Neuronal Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors α4* and α6* Differentially Modulate Dopamine Release in Mouse Striatal Slices". Journal of Neurochemistry 105 (5): 1761–1769. doi:10.1111/j.1471-4159.2008.05266.x. PMID 18248619. 
  4. Calabresi, P; Massimiliano, DF. (Oct 2008). "ACh/Dopamine Crosstalk in Motor Control and Reward: A Crucial Role for α6-Containing Nicotinic Receptors?". Neuron 60 (1): 4–7. doi:10.1016/j.neuron.2008.09.031. PMID 18940582. 
  5. "In vivo activation of midbrain dopamine neurons via sensitized, high-affinity alpha 6 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors". Neuron 60 (1): 123–136. 2008. doi:10.1016/j.neuron.2008.09.009. PMID 18940593. 
  6. Exley, R; Clements, MA; Hartung, H; McIntosh, JM; Cragg, SJ (2008). "Alpha6-containing nicotinic acetylcholine receptors dominate the nicotine control of dopamine neurotransmission in nucleus accumbens". Neuropsychopharmacology 33 (9): 2158–2166. doi:10.1038/sj.npp.1301617. PMID 18033235. 
  7. Quik, M; McIntosh, JM (2006). "Striatal alpha6* nicotinic acetylcholine receptors: potential targets for Parkinson's disease therapy". The Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics 316 (2): 481–489. doi:10.1124/jpet.105.094375. PMID 16210393. 
  8. Bordia, T; Grady, SR; McIntosh, JM; Quik, M (2007). "Nigrostriatal damage preferentially decreases a subpopulation of alpha6beta2* nAChRs in mouse, monkey, and Parkinson's disease striatum". Molecular Pharmacology 72 (1): 52–61. doi:10.1124/mol.107.035998. PMID 17409284. 

Further reading

External links

This article incorporates text from the United States National Library of Medicine, which is in the public domain.