Olfactory receptor 1A1 (OR1A1) (OR1A1)

Olfactory receptor 1A1 (OR1A1) is a member of the G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) superfamily, specifically belonging to the rhodopsin-like (Class A) family [1, 4]. While its primary role is the detection of odorants in the nasal epithelium to facilitate the sense of smell, OR1A1 is also ectopically expressed in non-olfactory tissues such as the liver and gut [10, 13]. In the liver, OR1A1 acts as a metabolic regulator; its activation by ligands like (-)-carvone triggers a signaling cascade that reduces triglyceride synthesis and lipid accumulation, making it a potential target for treating metabolic disorders like non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) [10, 11, 13]. Additionally, OR1A1 has been implicated in the secretion of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) in the intestine, further highlighting its role in glucose and lipid homeostasis [11, 13]. Although primarily studied for its sensory and metabolic functions, OR1A1 and other olfactory receptors are increasingly recognized as potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets in various cancers due to their differential expression in tumor tissues [13, 17].

Other names

OR17-7OR17-11Olfactory receptor family 1 subfamily A member 1

Agonism of OR1A1 activates the Gs-cAMP-PKA-CREB signaling pathway, leading to HES-1 induction and PPAR-gamma repression, which reduces triglyceride synthesis [10, 11, 13].