The protein encoded by this gene is a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunit and a member of a superfamily of ligand-gated ion channels that mediate fast signal transmission at synapses. These receptors are thought to be heteropentamers composed of separate but similar subunits. Defects in this gene have been linked to susceptibility to lung cancer type 2 (LNCR2).[provided by RefSeq, Jun 2010],disease:Genetic variations in CHRNA5 may be associated with susceptibility to lung cancer type 2 (LNCR2) [MIM:612052].,function:After binding acetylcholine, the AChR responds by an extensive change in conformation that affects all subunits and leads to opening of an ion-conducting channel across the plasma membrane.,similarity:Belongs to the ligand-gated ionic channel (TC 1.A.9) family.,subunit:Neuronal AChR seems to be composed of two different type of subunits: alpha and non-alpha (beta).,
