OR2M3

OR2M3 is a gene that encodes the olfactory receptor, family 2, subfamily M, member 3 protein in humans. 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.

Function

The OR2M3 gene is part of the olfactory receptor gene family, which is the largest gene family in the human genome. The proteins encoded by these genes are responsible for the recognition and transduction of odorant signals, which are mediated by G proteins. The OR2M3 protein specifically is thought to be involved in the detection of certain odors.

Structure

Like other olfactory receptors, the OR2M3 protein is a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR). This means it has a seven-transmembrane domain structure, which is a common feature of many neurotransmitter and hormone receptors. The gene encoding OR2M3 is a single coding-exon gene.

Clinical Significance

While the specific clinical significance of OR2M3 is not yet fully understood, the olfactory receptor gene family as a whole is thought to be important in a variety of health and disease contexts. For example, alterations in olfactory receptor function have been implicated in conditions such as anosmia (loss of smell) and olfactory reference syndrome (a psychiatric condition characterized by a persistent false belief that one emits a foul or offensive body odor).

See Also

• Olfactory receptor
• G protein-coupled receptor
• Anosmia
• Olfactory reference syndrome