OR4C15

OR4C15 is a gene that encodes a protein in humans. The protein is a member of the olfactory receptor family, a class of G protein-coupled receptors which are involved in the detection of smell.

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 OR4C15 gene is located on chromosome 11, specifically at 11q11. It spans a length of approximately 1.1 kilobases and consists of a single exon. The gene is expressed in the olfactory epithelium, a specialized tissue involved in odor detection.

Protein

The OR4C15 protein is a member of the olfactory receptor family, a class of proteins that are responsible for the detection of odorants. These proteins are located in the cell membranes of olfactory receptor neurons and are involved in signal transduction pathways that convert the chemical signals of odorants into electrical signals that can be interpreted by the brain.

Clinical significance

While the specific role of OR4C15 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 elucidate the potential role of OR4C15 in these and other conditions.

See also

• Olfactory receptor
• G protein-coupled receptor
• Signal transduction

References

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