title: Molecular biology of odorant receptors in vertebrates.
abstract: The initial step in olfactory discrimination involves the interaction of odorous ligands with specific receptors on the surface of olfactory sensory neurons. The foundation for a molecular understanding of odor recognition in vertebrates was provided by the identification of a family of genes encoding putative odorant receptors, by Buck & Axel in 1991. Odorant receptor (OR) genes from the largest gene family in the vertebrate genome. This review summarizes progress over the past seven years. Major new insights are: Olfaction is accomplished in vertebrates by a very large number of receptors; olfactory sensory neurons express a small subset of the OR repertoire; in rat and mouse, axons of neurons expressing the same OR converge onto defined glomeruli in the olfactory bulb.
authors: Rockefeller University, New York, New York 10021, USA. pm@rockvax.rockefeller.edu
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Mombaerts
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000502:physiology; D008967:Molecular Biology / Q000379:methods; D018035:Receptors, Odorant / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D014714:Vertebrates / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D018035:Receptors, Odorant