Olfactory receptor family 51 subfamily E member 1 (OR51E1)

Olfactory receptor family 51 subfamily E member 1 (OR51E1) is a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) originally characterized for its role in odorant detection in the olfactory epithelium, initiating neuronal responses that trigger the perception of smell. OR51E1 features the canonical 7-transmembrane domain structure shared by all olfactory receptors and many other GPCRs[2][3]. Beyond olfaction, OR51E1 is ectopically expressed in various tissues, notably the prostate and heart. In prostate cancer, it is highly overexpressed compared to benign tissue, and its activation by medium-chain fatty acids such as nonanoic acid has been shown to suppress tumor cell growth, down-regulate androgen receptor gene expression, and induce cellular senescence—making it a promising candidate biomarker and potential therapeutic target[1][3]. In the heart, OR51E1 functions as a fatty acid sensor, suggesting broader roles in metabolic regulation[3]. OR51E1 has diagnostic utility in neuroendocrine tumors that lack other common receptor markers[3].

Other names

Olfactory receptor 51E1OR51E1GPR164PSGR2 (Prostate-specific G protein-coupled receptor 2)POGR (Prostate-overexpressed G protein-coupled receptor)D-GPCR (Dresden-G-protein-coupled receptor)G protein-coupled receptor 164Olfactory receptor OR11-15Olfactory receptor 52A3

Activation by fatty acid agonists leads to phosphorylation of intracellular protein kinases and growth suppression in prostate cancer cells Ligand binding modulates downstream signaling pathways (not involving calcium or cAMP in prostate cancer cells) Induction of cellular senescence and suppression of androgen receptor–mediated gene expression in prostate cancer