Olfactory receptor family 6 subfamily K member 2 (OR6K2)

Olfactory receptor family 6 subfamily K member 2 (OR6K2) is a member of the large family of olfactory receptors responsible for the recognition of odorant molecules in the nose, initiating neuronal responses that constitute the sense of smell. Like all members of its family, OR6K2 is a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) with a characteristic seven-transmembrane domain structure, arising from a single coding-exon gene. These receptors interact with various odorants to mediate signal transduction via G protein activation and, ultimately, with neuronal processing in the brain. There are hundreds of olfactory receptor genes in humans, with considerable functional diversity. OR6K2 may have some limited extra-nasal expression and has been linked to prostate cancer in certain association studies, but primary biological roles are in olfaction.

Other names

Olfactory receptor 6K2OR6K2Olfactory receptor OR1-17OR1-17

Odorant binding activates the receptor, which then signals via G protein activation to initiate olfactory signal transduction.