OR8D4

OR8D4 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.

Clinical significance

Variations in the OR8D4 gene have been associated with differences in the perception of certain odors. For example, a study published in the journal Chemical Senses found that individuals with a certain variant of the OR8D4 gene were more sensitive to the smell of a compound found in male sweat.

See also

• Olfactory receptor
• G protein-coupled receptor
• Chemical Senses

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