OR5A1 Gene

The OR5A1 gene encodes a particular olfactory receptor, a protein that reacts to specific molecules in the nose to trigger a signal in our perception of smell. OR5A1 encodes one of hundreds of different types of olfactory receptors in the nose. A floral fragrant organic compound called β-ionone — and other chemicals similar to it — trigger the receptor encoded by OR5A1.

Alleles

People normally have two alleles per gene, one inherited from their mother and one inherited from their father.

Insensitive (Global)

This allele has been widespread globally for tens of thousands of years.
Also known as: Off.

Sensitive (Global)

This allele has been widespread globally for tens of thousands of years.
Also known as: On.

Allele Pairs

It is the combination of a person's pair of gene alleles that influences traits.

Predictable Hardly Smells β-ionone
Predictable Violets & Rose Oil Less Fragrant
Allele Pair People with this allele pair are less sensitive to floral odorants of β-ionone than those with one or two "Sensitive" alleles. They tend to perceive violets and rose oil as less floral and fragrant than those with one or two "Sensitive" alleles.
Predictable Easily Smells β-ionone
Predictable Violets & Rose Oil More Fragrant
Allele Pair People with these allele pairs are more sensitive to floral odorants of β-ionone than those with two "Insensitive" alleles. They tend to perceive violets and rose oil as more floral and fragrant than those with two "Insensitive" alleles.

Gene Details

The OR5A1 gene is located on chromosome 11 and encodes the protein named "Olfactory receptor 5A1", which influences the reported traits.

Additional References OR5A1
Wikipedia OR5A1
SNPedia OR5A1
UniProt Q8NGJ0
U.S. National Center for Biotechnology Information 219982

PubMed articles

Allele Definitions

[0]
Sensitive
G
C
Insensitive
A
T
Show Minus Strand
+
-
Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs)
[0] rs6591536 dbSNP SNPedia