OR7D4 Gene

The OR7D4 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. OR7D4 encodes one of hundreds of different types of olfactory receptors in the nose. A mammalian pheromone called androstenone — and other chemicals similar to it — trigger the receptor encoded by OR7D4.

Alleles

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

Sensitive (Global)

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

Insensitive (Eurasian)

This allele originates from an ancient Eurasian mutation that occurred thousands of years ago.
Also known as: WM.

Allele Pairs

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

Predictable Easily Smells Androstadienone
Allele Pair People with this allele pair tend to be more sensitive to masculine odorants in androstadienone, a human pheromone, than those with two "Insensitive" alleles. They tend to find its smell strong and unpleasant.
Predictable Smells Androstadienone
Allele Pair People with this allele pair tend to have smell sensitivity to masculine odorants in androstadienone, a human pheromone, that lies in between those with two "Sensitive" alleles and those with two "Insensitive" ones.
Predictable Hardly Smells Androstadienone
Allele Pair People with this allele pair tend to be less sensitive to masculine odorants in androstadienone, a human pheromone, than those with one or two "Sensitive" alleles.

Gene Details

The OR7D4 gene is located on chromosome 19 and encodes the protein named "Olfactory receptor 7D4", which influences the reported traits.

Additional References OR7D4
Wikipedia OR7D4
UniProt Q8NG98
U.S. National Center for Biotechnology Information 125958

PubMed articles

Allele Definitions

[0]
Sensitive
G
C
Insensitive
A
T
Show Minus Strand
+
-
Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs)
[0] rs5020278 dbSNP SNPedia