Alpha-4 beta-2 nicotinic receptor (original) (raw)

The alpha-4 beta-2 nicotinic receptor, also known as the α4β2 receptor, is a type of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor implicated in learning, consisting of α4 and β2 subunits. It is located in the brain, where activation yields post- and presynaptic excitation, mainly by increased Na+ and K+ permeability. The receptors exist in the two stoichiometries: * (α4)2(β2)3 receptors have high sensitivity to nicotine and low Ca2+ permeability (HS receptors) * (α4)3(β2)2 receptors have low sensitivity to nicotine and high Ca2+ permeability (LS receptors)