Introduction

Olfactory receptors

Animals sense their chemical environment through olfactory receptors (ORs). The olfactory receptors are a large group of proteins belonging to subfamily I of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) that bind odorant ligands. If the receptor is activated by a ligand, the confirmation of the receptor is changed and there is an interaction with the α-subunit of the G-protein, Golf.. This causes dissociation of the α-subunit from the Gβγ dimer, which causes signal propagation. Each OR recognizes multiple odorants and most odorants are recognized by several ORs [1]. Because of the sensitivity and selectivity of the of the olfactory system it can be for example of value in detection of environmental toxins [2], pharmaceutical screening and for diagnostics.