cholinergic receptor nicotinic alpha 4 subunit
Last updated 14 Aug 2025
Meets Patient’s editorial guidelines
- DownloadDownload
- Share
- Language
- Discussion
- Audio Version
- Add to preferred sources on Google
The CHRNA4 gene provides instructions for making one part (subunit) of a larger protein complex called a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR). Each nAChR complex is made up of a combination of five subunits, usually two alpha (α) and three beta (β) subunits. Many different combinations are possible; the characteristics of each nAChR complex depend on its specific subunits. In the brain, the complex most commonly consists of two α4 subunits and three β2 subunits. The CHRNA4 gene is responsible for producing the α4 subunit.
Normal function
The CHRNA4 gene provides instructions for making one part (subunit) of a larger protein complex called a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR). Each nAChR complex is made up of a combination of five subunits, usually two alpha (α) and three beta (β) subunits. Many different combinations are possible; the characteristics of each nAChR complex depend on its specific subunits. In the brain, the complex most commonly consists of two α4 subunits and three β2 subunits. The CHRNA4 gene is responsible for producing the α4 subunit.
In the brain, the nAChR complex plays an important role in chemical signaling between nerve cells (neurons). The nAChR acts as a channel, allowing charged atoms (ions), including calcium, sodium, and potassium, to cross the cell membrane. These channels open when they attach to a chemical messenger (neurotransmitter) called acetylcholine. The channels also open in response to nicotine, the addictive substance in tobacco. As these channels open, the increased flow of ions across the cell membrane alters the release of neurotransmitters.
Communication between neurons depends on neurotransmitters. The release and uptake of these chemicals are tightly regulated to ensure that signals are passed efficiently and accurately between neurons. Researchers believe that nAChR channels play an important role in controlling the normal release and uptake of neurotransmitters.
A wide range of brain functions depend on nAChR channels, including sleep and arousal, fatigue, anxiety, attention, pain perception, and memory. The channels are also active before birth, which suggests that they are involved in early brain development.
Conditions referring to this gene or chromosome
Other names
acetylcholine receptor, neuronal nicotonic, alpha-4 subunit
acetylcholine receptor, nicotinic, alpha 4 (neuronal)
BFNC
cholinergic receptor, neuronal nicotinic, alpha polypeptide 4
cholinergic receptor, nicotinic alpha 4
cholinergic receptor, nicotinic, alpha 4 (neuronal)
EBN
EBN1
NACHR
NACHRA4
NACRA4
Related patient information and medicines
Patient information leaflet
Mastocytosis and mast cell disorders
Digestive symptoms H 2 -receptor antagonists or ... Oral sodium cromoglicate is beneficial in people with diarrhoea and tummy (abdominal) pain. Anticholinergic medication such as propantheline (which blocks the effects of a body chemical called acetylcholine) may help control diarrhoea. Other treatments Medicines called leukotriene inhibitors used.
Patient information leaflet
Peripheral vasodilators
Peripheral vasodilators are medicines that are used to treat conditions that affect blood vessels in outer (peripheral) parts of the body such as the arms and legs. For example, they are used to treat peripheral arterial disease and Raynaud's phenomenon. They ease the symptoms of these conditions by dilating the blood vessels, preventing them from.
Patient information leaflet
Nausea medicine
Various medicines are available to treat nausea. They work in different ways to one another. These medicines are not usually started until your doctor is sure what has caused your nausea. Hyoscine - this medicine works by blocking a chemical in the brain called acetylcholine. It is a type of medicine called an antimuscarinic (or anticholinergic)..
Patient information leaflet
Can I take Pyridostigmine and Ramipril together?
It can cause serious harm to an unborn baby, particularly affecting their kidney development... Use effective contraception while taking this medicine. Cholinergic Crisis (Overdose) - pyridostigmine If you experience severe muscle weakness, abdominal cramps, or difficulty breathing, seek urgent medical help. These can be signs of an overdose,.
Patient information leaflet
Thalassaemia
There are different types, which vary from a mild condition to a serious or life-threatening condition. For the more severe forms of thalassaemia, modern treatment gives a good outlook, but lifelong monitoring and treatment are needed. Good treatment is important to prevent complications developing. Haemoglobin is made out of different parts. The.
Patient information leaflet
Can I take Omeprazole and Pyridostigmine together?
Important precautions Asthma or COPD Pyridostigmine can cause narrowing of the airways and increase mucus production, which may severely worsen breathing problems or trigger an asthma attack. Cholinergic Crisis (Overdose) - pyridostigmine If you experience severe muscle weakness, abdominal cramps, or difficulty breathing, seek urgent medical help..
Further reading and references
- cholinergic receptor nicotinic alpha 4 subunit; MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine.
- Arneric SP, Holladay M, Williams M. Neuronal nicotinic receptors: a perspective on two decades of drug discovery research. Biochem Pharmacol. 2007 Oct 15;74(8):1092-101. doi: 10.1016/j.bcp.2007.06.033. Epub 2007 Jun 26.
- Bertrand D, Picard F, Le Hellard S, Weiland S, Favre I, Phillips H, Bertrand S, Berkovic SF, Malafosse A, Mulley J. How mutations in the nAChRs can cause ADNFLE epilepsy. Epilepsia. 2002;43 Suppl 5:112-22. doi: 10.1046/j.1528-1157.43.s.5.16.x.
- Bertrand S, Weiland S, Berkovic SF, Steinlein OK, Bertrand D. Properties of neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor mutants from humans suffering from autosomal dominant nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy. Br J Pharmacol. 1998 Oct;125(4):751-60. doi: 10.1038/sj.bjp.0702154.
- di Corcia G, Blasetti A, De Simone M, Verrotti A, Chiarelli F. Recent advances on autosomal dominant nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy: "understanding the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR)". Eur J Paediatr Neurol. 2005;9(2):59-66. doi: 10.1016/j.ejpn.2004.12.006.
- Feng Y, Niu T, Xing H, Xu X, Chen C, Peng S, Wang L, Laird N, Xu X. A common haplotype of the nicotine acetylcholine receptor alpha 4 subunit gene is associated with vulnerability to nicotine addiction in men. Am J Hum Genet. 2004 Jul;75(1):112-21. doi: 10.1086/422194. Epub 2004 May 20.
- Hirose S, Iwata H, Akiyoshi H, Kobayashi K, Ito M, Wada K, Kaneko S, Mitsudome A. A novel mutation of CHRNA4 responsible for autosomal dominant nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy. Neurology. 1999 Nov 10;53(8):1749-53. doi: 10.1212/wnl.53.8.1749.
- Hutchison KE, Allen DL, Filbey FM, Jepson C, Lerman C, Benowitz NL, Stitzel J, Bryan A, McGeary J, Haughey HM. CHRNA4 and tobacco dependence: from gene regulation to treatment outcome. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2007 Sep;64(9):1078-86. doi: 10.1001/archpsyc.64.9.1078.
- Kurahashi H, Hirose S. Autosomal Dominant Sleep-Related Hypermotor (Hyperkinetic) Epilepsy. 2002 May 16 [updated 2023 Mar 23]. In: Adam MP, Bick S, Mirzaa GM, Wallace SE, Amemiya A, editors. GeneReviews(R) [Internet]. Seattle (WA): University of Washington, Seattle; 1993-2026. Available from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK1169/
- Kuryatov A, Gerzanich V, Nelson M, Olale F, Lindstrom J. Mutation causing autosomal dominant nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy alters Ca2+ permeability, conductance, and gating of human alpha4beta2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. J Neurosci. 1997 Dec 1;17(23):9035-47. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.17-23-09035.1997.
- Li MD, Beuten J, Ma JZ, Payne TJ, Lou XY, Garcia V, Duenes AS, Crews KM, Elston RC. Ethnic- and gender-specific association of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor alpha4 subunit gene (CHRNA4) with nicotine dependence. Hum Mol Genet. 2005 May 1;14(9):1211-9. doi: 10.1093/hmg/ddi132. Epub 2005 Mar 24.
- Licchetta L, Pippucci T, Baldassari S, Minardi R, Provini F, Mostacci B, Plazzi G, Tinuper P, Bisulli F; Collaborative Group of Italian League Against Epilepsy (LICE) Genetic Study Group on SHE. Sleep-related hypermotor epilepsy (SHE): Contribution of known genes in 103 patients. Seizure. 2020 Jan;74:60-64. doi: 10.1016/j.seizure.2019.11.009. Epub 2019 Nov 23.
- Marini C, Guerrini R. The role of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in sleep-related epilepsy. Biochem Pharmacol. 2007 Oct 15;74(8):1308-14. doi: 10.1016/j.bcp.2007.06.030. Epub 2007 Jun 23.
- Riney K, Bogacz A, Somerville E, Hirsch E, Nabbout R, Scheffer IE, Zuberi SM, Alsaadi T, Jain S, French J, Specchio N, Trinka E, Wiebe S, Auvin S, Cabral-Lim L, Naidoo A, Perucca E, Moshe SL, Wirrell EC, Tinuper P. International League Against Epilepsy classification and definition of epilepsy syndromes with onset at a variable age: position statement by the ILAE Task Force on Nosology and Definitions. Epilepsia. 2022 Jun;63(6):1443-1474. doi: 10.1111/epi.17240. Epub 2022 May 3.
- Steinlein OK, Kaneko S, Hirose S. Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor mutations. In: Noebels JL, Avoli M, Rogawski MA, Olsen RW, Delgado-Escueta AV, editors. Jasper's Basic Mechanisms of the Epilepsies [Internet]. 4th edition. Bethesda (MD): National Center for Biotechnology Information (US); 2012. Available from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK98138/
- Steinlein OK, Mulley JC, Propping P, Wallace RH, Phillips HA, Sutherland GR, Scheffer IE, Berkovic SF. A missense mutation in the neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor alpha 4 subunit is associated with autosomal dominant nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy. Nat Genet. 1995 Oct;11(2):201-3. doi: 10.1038/ng1095-201.
- Tinuper P, Bisulli F, Cross JH, Hesdorffer D, Kahane P, Nobili L, Provini F, Scheffer IE, Tassi L, Vignatelli L, Bassetti C, Cirignotta F, Derry C, Gambardella A, Guerrini R, Halasz P, Licchetta L, Mahowald M, Manni R, Marini C, Mostacci B, Naldi I, Parrino L, Picard F, Pugliatti M, Ryvlin P, Vigevano F, Zucconi M, Berkovic S, Ottman R. Definition and diagnostic criteria of sleep-related hypermotor epilepsy. Neurology. 2016 May 10;86(19):1834-42. doi: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000002666. Epub 2016 Apr 15.
Join the conversation
Share your thoughts or experiences with others in our patient communities.
Ask, share, connect.
Browse discussions, ask questions, and share experiences across hundreds of health topics.
Sign up to the Patient newsletter
Your weekly dose of clear, trustworthy health advice - written to help you feel informed, confident and in control.
By subscribing you accept our Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe at any time. We never sell your data.