Detection of a CfoI polymorphism within exon 5 of the human neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor alpha 4 subunit gene (CHRNA4).

The gene coding for the alpha 4 subunit of the neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (CHRNA4) has been recently mapped in the candidate region for benign familial neonatal convulsions (BFNC) on chromosome 20q13.2-q13.3. The region is only partially covered with polymorphic markers, and so far no PCR-based polymorphisms have been described in the critical region for BFNC. We now report the first polymorphic marker in the coding region of CHRNA4. The new marker, which is detected by PCR, will be useful for evaluation of the role of CHRNA4 as a candidate gene for BFNC. It will further enable the investigation of this important brain-specific gene in association studies with different types of epileptic diseases and other neurological disorders.