Olfactory receptor family 11 subfamily H member 7 (OR11H7)

Olfactory receptor family 11 subfamily H member 7 (OR11H7) is part of the human olfactory receptor family, which comprises G protein-coupled receptors responsible for detecting odorant molecules[1][6]. Most individuals carry a nonfunctional (pseudogene) version due to a premature stop codon, but some possess an allele encoding a full-length, functional receptor[7]. The main known function is odorant recognition, initiating neuronal responses that contribute to the perception of smell, specifically for molecules like isovaleric acid[1][6]. OR11H7 shares the seven-transmembrane domain typical of GPCRs and participates in olfactory signal transduction. There are no therapeutic applications, disease associations, or pharmacological agents targeting this protein, and it is not used as a biomarker[1][6][7]. The gene is uniquely variable in the population due to segregating alleles, and while functionally relevant for olfaction in some individuals, its absence or presence does not constitute a pathological role. The functional diversity (gene vs. pseudogene) is determined by a stop codon at position Gln-227[7]. The primary ligand established is isovaleric acid, but its implications are limited to sensory perception, specifically *hyperosmia*—increased sensitivity to isovaleric acid[6].

Other names

OR11H7POlfactory receptor 11H7Olfactory receptor OR14-32Olfactory receptor, family 11, subfamily H, member 7

No drugs targeting this receptor; mechanistically, it works via odorant binding and activation of G protein signaling.