OR4A16

OR4A16 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the OR4A16 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 OR4A16 gene is located on chromosome 11, specifically 11p15.4. It spans 1,093 base pairs and encodes a protein of 312 amino acids. The gene is expressed in the olfactory epithelium, a specialized tissue involved in smell.

Clinical significance

While the exact role of OR4A16 in disease is not well understood, olfactory receptors in general have been implicated in a variety of diseases, including Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and certain types of cancer. Further research is needed to determine the specific role of OR4A16 in these and other conditions.

See also

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

References

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