OR13C8

OR13C8 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the OR13C8 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 OR13C8 gene is located on chromosome 1, specifically at 1q44. It spans a length of approximately 1.1 kilobases and contains one exon. The gene is expressed in the olfactory epithelium, a small region in the back of the nasal cavity that is responsible for detecting odors.

Clinical significance

While the exact role of OR13C8 in disease is not well understood, olfactory receptors in general have been implicated in a variety of diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease, as well as cancer. Further research is needed to determine the specific role of OR13C8 in these and other conditions.

See also

• Olfactory receptor
• G protein-coupled receptor
• Neurodegenerative disease