Specificity and sensitivity of a human olfactory receptor functionally expressed in human embryonic kidney 293 cells and Xenopus Laevis oocytes.

ABSTRACT: Here, we provide the first evidence for functional expression of a human olfactory receptor protein (OR17-40) and show that recombinant olfactory receptors can be functionally expressed in heterologous systems. A mixture of 100 different odorants (Henkel 100) elicited a transient increase in intracellular [Ca(2+)] in human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK293) cells stably or transiently transfected with the plasmid pOR17-40. By subdividing the odorant mixture into progressively smaller groups, we identified a single component that represented the only effective substance: helional. Only the structurally closely related molecule heliotroplyacetone also activated the receptor. Other compounds, including piperonal, safrole, and vanillin, were completely ineffective. Mock-transfected cells and cells

SUBMITTER: Wetzel CH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6782526 | biostudies-literature | 1999 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature