OR2AK2

OR2AK2 is a gene that encodes the olfactory receptor, family 2, subfamily AK, member 2 protein in humans. This protein is a part of the olfactory receptor family, which is involved in the detection of smell.

Function

The OR2AK2 gene is a member of the olfactory receptor gene family. These receptors are located in the olfactory epithelium in the nose. They interact with odorant molecules in the air, triggering a neuronal response that allows the perception of smell. The olfactory receptor proteins are members of a large family of G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCR) arising from single coding-exon genes.

Structure

The OR2AK2 gene is located on the chromosome 1 at position 1q44. It spans about 1.1 kilobases and consists of a single exon. The OR2AK2 protein is a 7-transmembrane protein, like all the olfactory receptors.

Clinical significance

Mutations in the OR2AK2 gene have not been linked to any specific diseases, but the sense of smell can be affected by various factors including aging, exposure to environmental toxins, and certain diseases such as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease.

See also

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