OR13A1

OR13A1 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the OR13A1 gene. The protein is a member of the olfactory receptor family, which is involved in the detection of smell.

Function

Olfactory receptors interact with odorant molecules in the nose, to initiate a neuronal response that triggers the perception of a smell. 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.

Gene

The OR13A1 gene is located on chromosome 1, specifically on the long (q) arm of the chromosome at position 44. The exact location is from base pair 243,507,214 to base pair 243,508,214.

Clinical significance

While the exact role of OR13A1 in human health and disease is not fully understood, it is believed to play a role in the sense of smell. Mutations in this gene, as well as other olfactory receptor genes, could potentially lead to conditions such as anosmia, which is the inability to perceive smell.

See also

• Olfactory receptor
• Anosmia
• G protein-coupled receptor