CHRNA10 explained

Neuronal acetylcholine receptor subunit alpha-10, also known as nAChRα10 and cholinergic receptor nicotinic alpha 10, is a protein that in humans is encoded by the CHRNA10 gene.^[1] The protein encoded by this gene is a subunit of certain nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAchR).

This nAchR subunit is required for the normal function of the olivocochlear system which is part of the auditory system.^[2] Furthermore, selective block of α9α10 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors by the conotoxin RgIA has been shown to be analgesic in an animal model of nerve injury pain.^[3]

α10 subunit-containing receptors are notably blocked by nicotine. The role of this antagonism in the effects of tobacco are unknown.

Notes and References

1. Lustig LR, Peng H, Hiel H, Yamamoto T, Fuchs PA . Molecular cloning and mapping of the human nicotinic acetylcholine receptor alpha10 (CHRNA10) . Genomics . 73 . 3 . 272–83 . May 2001 . 11350119 . 10.1006/geno.2000.6503 .
2. Vetter DE, Katz E, Maison SF, Taranda J, Turcan S, Ballestero J, Liberman MC, Elgoyhen AB, Boulter J . The alpha10 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunit is required for normal synaptic function and integrity of the olivocochlear system . Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. . 104 . 51 . 20594–9 . December 2007 . 18077337 . 2154476 . 10.1073/pnas.0708545105 . free . 2007PNAS..10420594V .
3. Vincler M, Wittenauer S, Parker R, Ellison M, Olivera BM, McIntosh JM . Molecular mechanism for analgesia involving specific antagonism of alpha9alpha10 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors . Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. . 103 . 47 . 17880–4 . November 2006 . 17101979 . 1635975 . 10.1073/pnas.0608715103 . 2006PNAS..10317880V . free .