Olfactory receptor

An olfactory receptor is a sensory protein in olfactory neurons that binds odorant molecules and initiates cellular signaling. Most mammalian olfactory receptors are G protein-coupled receptors.

Odorant receptor signaling pathway: The molecular cascade that converts odorant binding at olfactory receptors into changes in an olfactory neuron’s membrane potential. It traces how receptor activation produces the signal sent toward the brain.
G protein-coupled receptor: A G protein-coupled receptor is a membrane protein that transmits extracellular signals through intracellular G proteins. Most mammalian odorant receptors belong to this large receptor family.
Linda B. Buck: Linda B. Buck is an American neuroscientist who identified the large family of odorant receptor genes with Richard Axel. Her work established the molecular receptor family that underlies odor detection.
Olfactory receptor deorphanization: Olfactory receptor deorphanization identifies the odorants that activate receptors whose natural ligands were previously unknown. It connects specific receptor proteins to the molecules they detect.
Trace amine-associated receptor: A trace amine-associated receptor is a receptor family that detects trace amines and other compounds in several tissues. Some members detect volatile amines, but they form a receptor family distinct from canonical odorant receptors.
Golf: Golf is a G protein that couples activated olfactory receptors to adenylyl cyclase in olfactory neurons. It relays the receptor’s activation to the enzyme that makes cyclic AMP.
Odorant: An odorant is a volatile chemical compound capable of activating olfactory sensory pathways. Odorants are the molecules that bind and activate olfactory receptors.
Richard Axel: Richard Axel is an American neuroscientist whose research identified odorant receptor genes and how olfactory information is organized. His collaboration with Buck revealed the genetic basis of olfactory receptors.
Heterologous expression: Heterologous expression produces a protein in a cell type different from the one that normally makes it. Researchers use it to test which odorants activate a particular olfactory receptor.
Vomeronasal receptor: A vomeronasal receptor is a sensory receptor associated with detecting chemical cues in the vomeronasal system of many vertebrates. It belongs to a distinct chemosensory system often associated with social signals rather than ordinary odors.

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