Cholinergic receptor, nicotinic, alpha 6, also known as CHRNA6, belongs to the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) family. nAChRs are heteropentameric ligand-gated ion channels resulting from the assembly of alpha and beta protein subunits. This ion channel is gated by the binding of acetylcholine to the assembled receptor. Alpha 6 is often found associated with beta 3, beta 2, and alpha 4 subunits. CHRNA6 receptors have a relatively selective localization to the nigrostriatal pathway where they function to mediate dopamine release.