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A genomic blueprint for a sense of smell   31 May 2001

Although humans are not as good at detecting and distinguishing odors as other mammals, such as dogs, we are still able to distinguish between thousands of different smells. The detection of different smells is mediated by a family of odour receptors located on the surface of cells lining the nose. Each cell in the nasal cavity is thought to produce only a single type of receptor. A particular smell, cheese for instance, is detected with the activation of a particular combination of receptors, producing a message that the brain interprets as the smell of cheese.

In the current issue of Genome Biology, (Genome Biology 2001, 2(6) research 0018.1-0018.12 published online on Friday 1st June 2001), Sergey Zozulya and colleagues from the California-based biotechnology company Senomyx, Inc. have analysed the recently published draft sequences of the human genome to conclude that there are 347 fully functional odorant receptors in the human.

This analysis found that human odorant receptor genes are clustered on particular chromosomes, with the largest single group being a cluster of 155 on chromosome 11; the clusters reflect duplications of ancestral genes over the course of evolution. They also showed a large number of pseudogenes, speculating that these pseudogenes previously encoded functions that have become obsolete during human evolution.

By 'mining' the human genome databases for conserved sequence 'motifs' within the DNA, Zozulya and colleagues have assembled a collection of all the odorant receptors encoded in the portion of the human genome that is available to date. As the researchers point out, there may be a few more family members to be found as the human genome sequence is completely finished over the next year or two, but the existing catalogue that they are able to provide now is an essential prerequisite for studies of the human sense of smell.

Genome Biology (http://genomebiology.com) is a new online and print journal that is committed to providing immediate free access to peer-reviewed biological research, as well as providing commentaries, review and analysis services to subscribers. This commitment to free research articles is based on the view that open access to original research findings is central to the rapid and efficient communication of science. BioMed Central Ltd., a member of the Current Science Group, publishes Genome Biology.

For free access to 'The human olfactory receptor repertoire', by Sergey Zozulya, Fernando Echeverri and Trieu Nguyen http://genomebiology.com/2001/2/6/research/0018/?mail=0000075

If you would like to be sent a copy of this article or receive further information about Genome Biology, please contact:
Gordon Fletcher PhD, Marketing Executive, E-mail Gordon@biomedcentral.com

You can also contact the author: Dr Sergey Zozulya, E-mail sergey.zozulya@senomyx.com