Neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR) are composed of 12 subunits (␣2-␣10 and 2-4), which play the central role in autonomic transmission. 4 subunits are abundantly expressed in autonomic ganglia, forming acetylcholine binding sites and ion channels with ␣3 or ␣3 and ␣5 subunits as pentameric receptors. To investigate the physiological and pharmacological properties of 4 subunits in autonomic ganglia, we measured autonomic functions in knockout mice lacking nAChR subunit 4 (4 Ϫ/Ϫ ) and wild-type mice. 4 Ϫ/Ϫ mice had an attenuated bradycardiac response to high frequency (60 pulse/s) vagal stimulation, as well as an increased sensitivity to hexamethonium blockade at low dose (3 mg/kg) and a reduced ileal contractile response to the nicotinic agonists cytisine, dimethylphenylpiperazinium iodide, nicotine (10 mg/kg each), and epibatidine (0.1 mg/kg). The results suggest that 4 subunits are important components of nAChRs in autonomic ganglia. Deficiency of 4 subunits altered ion channel properties, conductance, and sensitivity and affinity of receptors to agonists and antagonists, affecting ganglionic transmission.