Alpha4-containing nAChRs (specifically the alpha4beta2 subtype) appear to play a crucial role in the addictive response to nicotine.

The nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are members of a superfamily of ligand-gated ion channels that mediate fast signal transmission at synapses.

After binding acetylcholine, these pentameric receptors respond by undergoing an extensive change in conformation that affects all subunits and leads to opening of an ion-conducting channel across the plasma membrane.

Mutations in this gene appear to account for a small proportion of the cases of nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy.

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