Recombinant Human CHRNB3 protein

The CHRNB3 recombinant protein is derived from the CHRNB3 gene, which encodes the β3 subunit of neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). These receptors are ligand-gated ion channels that mediate synaptic signaling in the central and peripheral nervous systems. The β3 subunit, when combined with α subunits (e.g., α6), forms heteromeric receptor complexes involved in modulating neurotransmitter release, particularly dopamine, which links them to neurological processes such as reward pathways, addiction, and movement regulation. CHRNB3 polymorphisms have been associated with nicotine dependence, Parkinson’s disease, and epilepsy, underscoring its biomedical relevance.

Recombinant CHRNB3 protein is typically produced in heterologous expression systems (e.g., HEK293 or CHO cells) to ensure proper post-translational modifications and functional folding. The protein retains key structural domains, including an extracellular N-terminal ligand-binding region, four transmembrane helices, and intracellular loops critical for ion channel gating and receptor assembly. Researchers utilize this recombinant protein to study receptor-ligand interactions, screen therapeutic compounds targeting nAChRs, and investigate mechanisms underlying neurological disorders. It also serves as an antigen for antibody development or a tool in structural studies (e.g., crystallography or cryo-EM) to resolve receptor architecture. Quality control involves assays like electrophysiology to confirm ion channel activity and Western blotting to verify subunit composition. Its applications extend to disease modeling and personalized medicine, particularly in disorders with cholinergic dysfunction.