Chrna3 Gene Summary [Rat]
Enables acetylcholine binding activity; heterocyclic compound binding activity; and postsynaptic neurotransmitter receptor activity. Involved in several processes, including acetylcholine receptor signaling pathway; presynaptic modulation of chemical synaptic transmission; and response to carbon monoxide. Located in dendrite; neuronal cell body; and plasma membrane raft. Part of acetylcholine-gated channel complex. Is active in cholinergic synapse; dopaminergic synapse; and postsynaptic specialization membrane. Biomarker of depressive disorder. Human ortholog(s) of this gene implicated in several diseases, including alcohol dependence; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; cocaine dependence; lung cancer (multiple); and nicotine dependence. Orthologous to human CHRNA3 (cholinergic receptor nicotinic alpha 3 subunit). [provided by Alliance of Genome Resources, Jul 2025]
Details
| Type | Protein Coding |
| Official Symbol | Chrna3 |
| Official Name | cholinergic receptor nicotinic alpha 3 subunit [Source:RGD Symbol;Acc:2345] |
| Ensembl ID | ENSRNOG00000013829 |
| Bio databases IDs | |
| Aliases | cholinergic receptor nicotinic alpha 3 subunit |
| Synonyms | (a)3, A730007P14Rik, Acra-3, BAIPRCK, cholinergic receptor nicotinic alpha 3 subunit, cholinergic receptor, nicotinic, alpha polypeptide 3, cholinergic receptor nicotinic α 3 subunit, cholinergic receptor, nicotinic, α polypeptide 3, LNCR2, NACHRA3, NACHR alpha3 subunit, Nachr α 3, PAOD2, α 3 nicotinic receptor subunit |
| 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 Chrna3 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
- intracellular loop
- channel/pore class transporter
- extracellular ligand-gated ion channel
- Cation transporter family protein
- protein binding
- 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 Chrna3 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
- stroke
- hepatocellular carcinoma
- colorectal cancer
- COVID-19
- Alzheimer disease
- pulmonary hypertension
- lung squamous cell carcinoma
- squamous cell lung cancer
- disorder of diaphragm
- myoclonus
role in cell
- transmembrane potential
- synaptic transmission
- excitation
- blockade in
- morphogenesis
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
- intracellular membrane-bounded organelle
- cell surface
- perinuclear region
- cellular membrane
- basal bodies
- cytosol
- synaptic membrane
- nucleoli
- nuclear speckles
- synapse
- membrane rafts
- perikaryon
- dendrites
Gene Ontology Annotations
Describes the biological processes, cellular components, and molecular functions associated with the rat Chrna3 gene, providing context for its role in the cell.
Biological Process
Functions and activities the gene product is involved in
- activation of transmembrane receptor protein tyrosine kinase activity
- synaptic transmission, cholinergic
- regulation of excitatory postsynaptic membrane potential
- regulation of acetylcholine secretion
- behavioral response to nicotine
- synaptic transmission involved in micturition
- signal transduction
- ion transmembrane transport
- nervous system development
- response to nicotine
- regulation of dendrite morphogenesis
- regulation of smooth muscle contraction
- ion transport
- regulation of membrane potential
- locomotory behavior
- membrane depolarization
Cellular Component
Where in the cell the gene product is active
- postsynaptic density
- nuclear speck
- Golgi apparatus
- endoplasmic reticulum
- neuronal cell body
- synapse
- acetylcholine-gated channel complex
- neuron projection
- plasma membrane
- dendrite
- postsynaptic membrane
- membrane
Molecular Function
What the gene product does at the molecular level
- acetylcholine receptor activity
- protein binding
- ligand-gated ion channel activity
- acetylcholine-gated cation channel activity
- acetylcholine binding