OR10W1

OR10W1 is a gene that encodes a protein in the olfactory receptor family. This family is a group of G protein-coupled receptors that are involved in the detection of smell. The OR10W1 gene is specifically expressed in the olfactory epithelium, a specialized tissue inside the nose that is involved in smell.

Structure

The OR10W1 gene is located on chromosome 1, specifically at 1q44. It spans approximately 1.1 kilobases and consists of a single exon. The encoded protein is 312 amino acids in length. Like other olfactory receptors, it has seven transmembrane domains, a characteristic feature of G protein-coupled receptors.

Function

The OR10W1 protein is believed to bind to odor molecules in the nose, initiating a neural response that triggers the perception of a smell. The specific ligand or ligands that this receptor binds to are currently unknown. However, it is thought that each olfactory receptor in the family may be responsible for the recognition of a small subset of odorant molecules.

Clinical significance

Mutations in the OR10W1 gene have not been linked to any specific diseases. However, the olfactory receptor family as a whole is of interest to researchers due to its potential role in disease. For example, changes in smell are often an early symptom of neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease. Understanding the function of individual olfactory receptors like OR10W1 could therefore provide insights into these conditions.

File:OR10W1 gene location on human chromosome 1.png

Location of the OR10W1 gene on human chromosome 1.

See also

• Olfactory receptor
• G protein-coupled receptor
• Olfactory epithelium