hOR17-4 as a potential therapeutic target.
More than a decade ago, the unexpected finding of olfactory receptor expression in human testicular tissue led to speculation about a potential role of these chemoreceptors in various aspects of mature sperm behavior, especially sperm chemotaxis. Recently, first evidence in favor of this hypothesis was provided by the identification of hOR17-4, a testicular olfactory receptor that mediates human sperm chemotaxis in various bioassays. A detailed characterization of the receptor's molecular receptive range as well as the first description of a potent receptor antagonist could provide the basis for future applications in fertility treatment with important consequences in procreation and/or contraception.
Spehr
Marc
M
Department of Cell Physiology, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany.
Hatt
Hanns
H
D002630:Chemotactic Factors / Q000502:physiology; D002633:Chemotaxis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D005298:Fertility / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008024:Ligands; D008297:Male; D009812:Odorants; D018035:Receptors, Odorant / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000502:physiology*; D029589:Seminal Plasma Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000502:physiology*; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000502:physiology
D002630:Chemotactic Factors; D008024:Ligands; C473192:OR1D2 protein, human; D018035:Receptors, Odorant; D029589:Seminal Plasma Proteins