OR10A6

OR10A6 is a gene that encodes a protein in the olfactory receptor family. This family is responsible for the detection of odorants in organisms. The OR10A6 gene is specifically involved in the detection of aldehydes, a type of organic compound.

Function

The olfactory receptor proteins are members of a large family of G-protein coupled receptors (GPCR) arising from single coding-exon genes. Olfactory receptors share a 7-transmembrane domain structure with many neurotransmitter and hormone receptors and are responsible for the recognition and G protein-mediated transduction of odorant signals. The olfactory receptor gene family is the largest in the genome. The nomenclature assigned to the olfactory receptor genes and proteins for this organism is independent of other organisms.

Clinical significance

Mutations in the OR10A6 gene have been associated with a decreased ability to smell certain odors. This can lead to a reduced sense of smell, known as hyposmia, or a complete loss of smell, known as anosmia.

See also

• Olfactory receptor
• G protein-coupled receptor
• Hyposmia
• Anosmia