Molecular cloning of odorant-binding protein: member of a ligand carrier family.
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.
Pevsner
J
J
Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205.
Reed
R R
RR
Feinstein
P G
PG
Snyder
S H
SH
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*
D002352:Carrier Proteins; D008024:Ligands; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D018035:Receptors, Odorant; C045648:odorant-binding protein