title: Molecular cloning of odorant-binding protein: member of a ligand carrier family.
abstract: Odorant-binding protein (OBP) is found in nasal epithelium, and it selectively binds odorants. Three complementary DNAs encoding rat odorant-binding protein have now been cloned and sequenced. One clone contains an open reading frame predicted to encode an 18,091-dalton protein. RNA blot analysis confirms the localization of OBP messenger RNA in the nasal epithelium. This OBP has 33 percent amino acid identity to alpha 2-microglobulin, a secreted plasma protein. Other members of an alpha 2-microglobulin superfamily bind and transport hydrophobic ligands. Thus, OBP probably binds and carries odorants within the nasal epithelium to putative olfactory receptors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pevsner
authors.forename: R R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Reed
authors.forename: P G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Feinstein
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Snyder
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D008024:Ligands; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D018035:Receptors, Odorant; D012903:Smell / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D002352:Carrier Proteins; D008024:Ligands; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D018035:Receptors, Odorant; C045648:odorant-binding protein