The Science of Smell: Unveiling the Secrets of Human Receptors.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Quanta Magazine
Researchers have used cryo-electron microscopy to determine the detailed structure of an odor receptor, OR51E2, which is found outside the nose in organs such as the gut, kidney, and prostate. The study found that the size and chemistry of the binding pocket tunes the receptor to detect only a narrow set of molecules. The discovery of a small, flexible loop atop the receptor suggests that it may contribute to our ability to detect diverse chemistry. The identification of the functional structure is a step toward understanding the underlying logic that guides the operation of our sense of smell.