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Updated: Jul 2, 2025

Real-time In Vitro Monitoring of Odorant Receptor Activation by an Odorant in the Vapor Phase
Published on: April 23, 2019
Petrol Note in Riesling - 1,1,6-Trimethyl-1,2-dihydronaphthalene (TDN) Selectively Activates Human Odorant Receptor
Franziska Haag1, Tim Frey1,2, Lena Ball1,2
1Leibniz-Institute for Food Systems Biology at the Technical University of Munich, 85354 Freising, Germany.
Abstract:
Grapevine (Vitis vinifera) is one of the most important perennial fruit plants. The variety Riesling stands out by developing a characteristic petrol-like odor note during aging, elicited by the aroma compound 1,1,6-trimethyl-1,2-dihydronaphthalene (TDN). The UV-dependent TDN contents differ largely among Rieslings grown in the northern versus the southern hemisphere. Highest TDN concentrations were found in Australian Rieslings, where TDN is a scoring ingredient. In contrast, in Rieslings from Europe, for example, TDN may be a tending cause of rejection. A human receptor for TDN has been unknown. Here, we report on the identification of OR8H1 as a TDN-selective odorant receptor, out of a library of 766 odorant receptor variants. OR8H1 is selectively tuned to six carbon ring structures, identified by screening a collection of 180 key food odorants, using a HEK-293 cell-based cAMP luminescence assay equipped with the GloSensor technology.
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