First Author | Zhang X | Year | 2002 |
Journal | Nat Neurosci | Volume | 5 |
Issue | 2 | Pages | 124-33 |
PubMed ID | 11802173 | Mgi Jnum | J:74521 |
Mgi Id | MGI:2158580 | Doi | 10.1038/nn800 |
Citation | Zhang X, et al. (2002) The olfactory receptor gene superfamily of the mouse. Nat Neurosci 5(2):124-33 |
abstractText | Olfactory receptor (OR) genes are the largest gene superfamily in vertebrates. We have identified the mouse OR genes from the nearly complete Celera mouse genome by a comprehensive data mining strategy. We found 1,296 mouse OR genes (including 20% pseudogenes), which can be classified into 228 families. OR genes are distributed in 27 clusters on all mouse chromosomes except 12 and Y. One OR gene cluster matches a known locus mediating a specific anosmia, indicating the anosmia may be due directly to the loss of receptors. A large number of apparently functional 'fish-like' Class I OR genes in the mouse genome may have important roles in mammalian olfaction. Human ORs cover a similar 'receptor space' as the mouse ORs, suggesting that the human olfactory system has retained the ability to recognize a broad spectrum of chemicals even though humans have lost nearly two-thirds of the OR genes as compared to mice. |