OR1D4

OR1D4 (also known as Olfactory Receptor Family 1 Subfamily D Member 4) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the OR1D4 gene. It is a member of the olfactory receptor family of genes, which are the largest gene family in the genome.

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.

Gene

The OR1D4 gene is located on the chromosome 1, specifically at 1q44. It spans a length of about 1.1 kilobases. The gene is expressed in the olfactory epithelium, which is a specialized epithelial tissue inside the nasal cavity that is involved in smell.

Clinical Significance

While the specific clinical significance of OR1D4 is not yet fully understood, olfactory receptors in general are thought to have roles in various diseases and conditions. For example, they may be involved in olfactory disorders, which can be caused by a variety of factors including head trauma, viral infections, and neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease.

See Also

• Olfactory receptor
• G protein-coupled receptor
• Olfactory system