The nicotinic receptor (nAChRs) pentamers represent a large family of subtypes due to the various combinations of alpha and beta subunits that can form them. Except for the subunits of the neuromuscular junction receptor (NM nAChR), the others have a varied pattern of expression throughout the brain and peripheral areas. Many receptors are expressed presynaptically and modulate neurotransmitter release; examples include the homopentameric alpha7 that is Ca2+ permeable. The genes for the alpha2-7, alpha9-10 and beta2-4 subunits are listed with aliases in parentheses, full names and links to gene report pages:

Chrna2 (ACHR) – cholinergic receptor nicotinic alpha 2 subunit
Chrna3 (LNCR2) – cholinergic receptor nicotinic alpha 3 subunit
Chrna4 (NARAC) – cholinergic receptor nicotinic alpha 4 subunit
Chrna5 (LNCR2) – cholinergic receptor nicotinic alpha 5 subunit
Chrna6 – cholinergic receptor nicotinic alpha 6 subunit
Chrna7 (BTX, nAChRa7, NARAD) – cholinergic receptor nicotinic alpha 7 subunit
Chrna9 (NACHR alpha 9) – cholinergic receptor nicotinic alpha 9 subunit
Chrna10 (NACHR alpha-10) – cholinergic receptor nicotinic alpha 10 subunit
Chrnb2 (EFNL3) – cholinergic receptor nicotinic beta 2 subunit
Chrnb3 – cholinergic receptor nicotinic beta 3 subunit
Chrnb4 – cholinergic receptor nicotinic beta 4 subunit