Molecular cloning and chromosomal localization of the human alpha 7-nicotinic receptor subunit gene (CHRNA7).

We have isolated cDNA and genomic clones coding for the human alpha 7 neuronal nicotinic receptor subunit, the major component of brain nicotinic receptors that are blocked by alpha-bungarotoxin. The human alpha 7 neuronal nicotinic cDNA encodes a mature protein of 479 amino acids that is highly homologous to the rat alpha 7 neuronal nicotinic subunit (90%). We have mapped the human alpha 7-nicotinic receptor subunit gene to chromosome 15, band q14, a region frequently rearranged in patients carrying a bisatellite 15 chromosome, large inv dup (15), whose clinical features include mental retardation and seizures.