Chrna2, cholinergic receptor nicotinic alpha 2 subunit, is involved in multiple biological processes. In adipose tissue, it participates in a non-neuronal cholinergic signaling pathway that mediates beige thermoregulation, which is crucial for maintaining systemic metabolic homeostasis. It also has implications in neural circuits, with its expression in specific interneurons in the hippocampus and cortex influencing neural activities [1,3,4].

In fat-specific Chrna2 KO mice, thermogenic defects in cold and metabolic dysfunction upon dietary challenges were observed, indicating adipocyte-autonomous regulation in vivo. These findings suggest that the CHRNA2 pathway has biological significance in beige fat biogenesis and energy homeostasis [2].

In conclusion, Chrna2 is essential for beige thermoregulation and energy homeostasis as revealed through KO mouse model-based research. Its role in adipose tissue and neural circuits provides insights into metabolic diseases and neurological functions, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic target for combating metabolic diseases [1,2].