Molecular Cloning of Odorant-Binding Protein: Member of a Ligand Carrier Family

作者：Jonathan Pevsner, Randall R. Reed, Paul Feinstein, Solomon H. Snyder · 发表于：Science · 年份：1988 · DOI：10.1126/science.3388043 · 被引用次数：251 · 研究领域：Olfactory and Sensory Function Studies、Photochromic and Fluorescence Chemistry、Biochemical Analysis and Sensing Techniques

Odorant-binding protein (OBP) is found in nasal epithelium, and it selectively binds odorants. Three complementary DNAs encoding rat odorant-binding protein have now been cloned and sequenced. One clone contains an open reading frame predicted to encode an 18,091-dalton protein. RNA blot analysis confirms the localization of OBP messenger RNA in the nasal epithelium. This OBP has 33 percent amino acid identity to alpha 2-microglobulin, a secreted plasma protein. Other members of an alpha 2-microglobulin superfamily bind and transport hydrophobic ligands. Thus, OBP probably binds and carries odorants within the nasal epithelium to putative olfactory receptors.