Olfactory receptor 51E1 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the OR51E1 gene. Olfactory receptors interact with odorant molecules in the nose, to initiate a neuronal response that triggers the perception of a smell. The olfactory receptor proteins are members of a large family of G-protein-coupled receptors arising from single coding-exon genes. Olfactory receptors share a 7-transmembrane domain structure with many neurotransmitter and hormone receptors and are responsible for the recognition and G protein-mediated transduction of odorant signals. The olfactory receptor gene family is the largest in the genome. The nomenclature assigned to the olfactory receptor genes and proteins for this organism is independent of other organisms. Ligands The receptor is associated with some compounds with a "cheese" or "sour" scent note. Examples of compounds that activate OR51E1 include: butyl butyryl lactate isovaleric acid nonanoic acid 3-methylpentanoic acid 4-methylpentanoic acid The following are in decreasing order of activity: butyric acid methyl eugenol methyl salicylate (+)-menthol eugenyl acetate 2,4-dinitrotoluene pyrazine dimethyl disulfide methyl furfuryl disulfide pentanol propanal See also Olfactory receptor References Further reading External links Olfactory receptors