OR4F21 Activators

OR4F21 is a member of the olfactory receptor family, specifically part of the class A (rhodopsin-like) receptors within the G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) superfamily. These receptors are encoded by the OR4F21 gene in humans. Olfactory receptors are predominantly expressed in the sensory neurons of the olfactory epithelium, which is located within the nasal cavity and is responsible for detecting volatile odorant molecules.OR4F21, like other olfactory receptors, contributes to the sense of smell by binding specific odorant molecules and initiating a signal transduction cascade that ultimately results in the perception of an odor. The binding of an odorant to OR4F21 triggers a conformational change in the receptor, which subsequently activates an associated G protein known as G_olf. This activation leads to the production of the second messenger cyclic AMP (cAMP) via the enzyme adenylate cyclase.

The increased intracellular levels of cAMP open cyclic nucleotide-gated ion channels, resulting in an influx of sodium and calcium ions into the olfactory sensory neuron. This ionic change generates an action potential that travels to the olfactory bulb in the brain, where the signal is processed and relayed to higher brain regions involved in odor identification and perception.Individual olfactory receptor proteins, including OR4F21, are typically tuned to detect a limited number of related chemical compounds. The human genome contains hundreds of olfactory receptor genes, creating a vast repertoire of receptors that can detect an extensive array of odorant structures. The diversity and specificity of these receptors allow for the discrimination of an immense variety of odors.