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Related Concept Videos

Olfaction01:25

Olfaction

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The sense of smell is achieved through the activities of the olfactory system. It starts when an airborne odorant enters the nasal cavity and reaches olfactory epithelium (OE). The OE is protected by a thin layer of mucus, which also serves the purpose of dissolving more complex compounds into simpler chemical odorants. The size of the OE and the density of sensory neurons varies among species; in humans, the OE is only about 9-10 cm2.
The olfactory receptors are embedded in the cilia of the...
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Physiology of Smell and Olfactory Pathway01:20

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Humans detect odors with the help of specialized cells located in the upper part of the nasal cavity, called olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs). ORNs possess hair-like structures called cilia, which are receptive to sensations from the inhaled air. When an odorant molecule binds to a specific receptor on the cell of the cilia, it leads to a series of events that ultimately cause the ORN to send electrical signals to the olfactory bulb in the brain through the olfactory nerves.
The olfactory...
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Olfactory Receptors: Location and Structure01:03

Olfactory Receptors: Location and Structure

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The process of olfaction, also known as the sense of smell, is a sophisticated chemical response system. The specialized sensory neurons that facilitate this process, known as olfactory receptor neurons, are situated in an upper segment of the nasal cavity, known as the olfactory epithelium. Olfactory sensory neurons are bipolar, with their dendrites extending from the epithelium's apex into the mucus that lines the nasal cavity. Airborne molecules, when inhaled, traverse the olfactory...
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From musk to body odor: Decoding olfaction through genetic variation.

Bingjie Li1,2, Marissa L Kamarck3,4, Qianqian Peng1

  • 1CAS Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.

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Summary

This study links specific olfactory receptor (OR) genes to the perception of body odor and musks. Researchers identified novel genetic associations for human body odor components and musk perception, revealing insights into olfactory coding mechanisms.

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Area of Science:

  • Genetics
  • Olfactory Neuroscience
  • Human Physiology

Background:

  • The olfactory system integrates diverse receptor inputs for odor representation.
  • Explicit links between olfactory receptor (OR) activity patterns and odor perception are scarce.
  • Understanding genotype-phenotype correlations in olfaction is crucial for decoding odor perception.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To uncover relationships between olfactory receptor activity and odor perception.
  • To identify novel genetic associations for human body odor and musk perception.
  • To investigate the functional impact of genetic variations on odor intensity and olfactory coding.

Main Methods:

  • Genome-wide scans were performed on odor-perception phenotypes for ten odors in 1000 Han Chinese individuals.
  • Results were validated in an ethnically diverse population (n=364) for six odors.
  • Analysis focused on single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with olfactory receptors and odor perception.

Main Results:

  • Three previously reported OR-odor perception associations were replicated, confirming robustness across populations.
  • Novel associations were identified: a SNP in OR51B2 with trans-3-methyl-2-hexenoic acid (body odor) and linked SNPs in OR4D6 with Galaxolide (musk).
  • SNPs associated with odor intensity were enriched for amino acid substitutions, suggesting functional receptor changes, with derived alleles linked to reduced odor intensity.

Conclusions:

  • This study provides significant insights into the genetic basis of human body odor perception and musk detection.
  • The identification of OR4D6 as a specific human musk receptor and cause of specific anosmia advances olfactory coding understanding.
  • Findings support the hypothesis of olfactory gene repertoire degeneration in primates and highlight how differential OR activation contributes to perceived odor.