Olfactory receptor family 8 subfamily D member 2 (OR8D2)

Olfactory receptor family 8 subfamily D member 2 (OR8D2) is a human G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) responsible for the detection of odorant molecules in the nasal epithelium, which initiates a neuronal response leading to the perception of smell[2][3][5]. OR8D2, like all olfactory receptors, features seven transmembrane domains characteristic of class A/1 rhodopsin-like GPCRs[2][5]. Members of the olfactory receptor family mediate G protein-coupled signal transduction upon binding specific ligands (odorants). The OR8D2 gene is a segregating pseudogene in the human population: some individuals carry a functional allele, while others have a non-functional version[2]. Olfactory receptors comprise the largest gene family in the human genome, and while primarily involved in olfaction, recent studies have found expression of related family members in various tissues, potentially mediating other physiological processes[5]. However, no direct therapeutic or pathological role has been described for OR8D2 as of this time.

Other names

Olfactory receptor 8D2OR8D2Olfactory receptor OR11-303Olfactory receptor-like protein JCG2JCG2

Not applicable (no drugs known to act on OR8D2; general mechanism for olfactory receptors is odorant molecule binding, resulting in G protein-mediated signal transduction)[2]