Chrna4 Gene Summary [Rat]
Enables acetylcholine binding activity; acetylcholine-gated monoatomic cation-selective channel activity; and quaternary ammonium group binding activity. Contributes to heterocyclic compound binding activity. Involved in acetylcholine receptor signaling pathway; cholinergic synaptic transmission; and regulation of acetylcholine-gated cation channel activity. Located in dendrite and neuronal cell body. Part of acetylcholine-gated channel complex. Is active in cholinergic synapse; postsynaptic specialization membrane; and presynaptic membrane. Biomarker of congestive heart failure. Human ortholog(s) of this gene implicated in autosomal dominant nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy 1 and nicotine dependence. Orthologous to human CHRNA4 (cholinergic receptor nicotinic alpha 4 subunit). [provided by Alliance of Genome Resources, Jul 2025]
Details
| Type | Protein Coding |
| Official Symbol | Chrna4 |
| Official Name | cholinergic receptor nicotinic alpha 4 subunit [Source:RGD Symbol;Acc:2346] |
| Ensembl ID | ENSRNOG00000011202 |
| Bio databases IDs | |
| Aliases | cholinergic receptor nicotinic alpha 4 subunit |
| Synonyms | Acra-4, alpha4 ACHR, alpha-4NACHR, alpha4* nAChR, BFNC, cholinergic receptor, nicotinic, alpha 4 (neuronal), cholinergic receptor nicotinic alpha 4 subunit, cholinergic receptor, nicotinic, alpha polypeptide 4, cholinergic receptor, nicotinic, α 4 (neuronal), cholinergic receptor nicotinic α 4 subunit, cholinergic receptor, nicotinic, α polypeptide 4, EBN, EBN1, ENFL1, NACHR, NACHRA4, nAChR α-4, NACRA4, NARAC, α-4NACHR |
| Species | Rat, Rattus norvegicus |
| Orthologies |
Protein Domains
A protein domain is a distinct structural or functional region within a protein that can evolve, function, and exist independently of the rest of the protein chain. These domains in rat Chrna4 often fold into stable, three-dimensional structures and are associated with specific biological functions, such as binding to DNA, other proteins, or small molecules.
- excitatory extracellular ligand-gated ion channel
- M2 domain
- intracellular loop
- channel/pore class transporter
- extracellular ligand-gated ion channel
- Cation transporter family protein
- protein binding
- ion channel
- acetylcholine receptor
- neurotransmitter receptor
- binding protein
- LGIC_ECD
- Neurotransmitter-gated ion-channel transmembrane region
- Neurotransmitter-gated ion-channel ligand binding domain
- transmembrane domain
- ligand-gated ion channel
- acetylcholine binding
- transmembrane receptor
- cation channel
Pathways
Biological processes and signaling networks where the Chrna4 gene in rat plays a role, providing insight into its function and relevance in health or disease.
Top Findings
The most significant associations for this gene, including commonly observed domains, pathway involvement, and functional highlights based on current data.
disease
- pain
- coronary disease
- HIV infection
- psychosis
- tobacco-related disorder
- schizophrenia
- bipolar disorder
- major depression
- hemodynamic instability
- schizoaffective disorder
role in cell
- activation in
- transmembrane potential
- phosphorylation in
- activation
- firing
- fragmentation
- action potential
- activity
- depolarization
- synaptic transmission
Subcellular Expression
Locations within the cell where the protein is known or predicted to be active, providing insight into its function and cellular context.
- Plasma Membrane
- cell surface
- cellular membrane
- microtubules
- cytoplasmic matrix
- cytosol
- plasma membrane extracellular face
- presynaptic membrane
- synaptic membrane
- synapse
- rough endoplasmatic reticulum
- perikaryon
- dendrites
- postsynaptic density
- axon terminals
Gene Ontology Annotations
Describes the biological processes, cellular components, and molecular functions associated with the rat Chrna4 gene, providing context for its role in the cell.
Biological Process
Functions and activities the gene product is involved in
- regulation of dopamine secretion
- DNA repair
- synaptic transmission, cholinergic
- regulation of excitatory postsynaptic membrane potential
- behavioral response to nicotine
- signal transduction
- ion transmembrane transport
- synaptic transmission
- B cell activation
- response to nicotine
- response to oxidative stress
- ion transport
- regulation of membrane potential
- response to hypoxia
- cognition
- calcium ion transport
- regulation of inhibitory postsynaptic membrane potential
- sensory perception of pain
- regulation of action potential
- membrane depolarization
- neurological system process
Cellular Component
Where in the cell the gene product is active
- dendrite
- postsynaptic membrane
- membrane
- external side of plasma membrane
- synapse
- acetylcholine-gated channel complex
- neuronal cell body
- neuron projection
- plasma membrane
Molecular Function
What the gene product does at the molecular level
- protein binding
- acetylcholine receptor activity
- ligand-gated ion channel activity
- acetylcholine-gated cation channel activity
- acetylcholine binding