Ligand-gated ion channels are expressed throughout the brain where they mediate fast synaptic transmission. The nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) represent an important subcategory of these ligand-gated ion channels; nAChRs are multisubunit, neurotransmitter-gated receptors of the cholinergic system.

All nicotinic acetylcholine receptors are pentamers composed of homologous protein subunits, each subunit spanning the plasma membrane four times. There are 10 α-subunits (α1–α10), 4 β-subunits (β1–β4), and γ-, δ-, and ϵ-subunits, all with shared homology. Various combinations of subunits form subtypes of the acetylcholine receptor. α-subunits of CHRNA10 consist of a N-terminal extracellular domain that contains the ACh binding region. There are four hydrophilic membrane-spanning domains (often labeled as M1–4) and an intracellular loop between M3 and M4.

The α10 gene encoding the CHRNA10 subunit is mostly expressed in outer hair cells in the ear. To this day, the α10 receptor has only been shown to form a functional receptor when combined with α9. As compared to expressed homomeric α9 receptors, the heteromeric α9α10 receptors display faster and more extensive agonist-mediated desensitization, a distinct current-voltage relationship, and a biphasic response to changes in extracellular Ca²⁺ ions. The primary role identified for CHRNA10 function within the inner ear is related to efferent auditory neuronal activity¹.

CHRNA10 knockout does not cause major alterations either in the functional expression of other voltage-gated and/or Ca²⁺-sensitive K⁺ channels or in the electrical properties of the cochlear inner hearing cells².