Pevsner J, Reed R R, Feinstein P G, Snyder S H
Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205.
Science. 1988 Jul 15;241(4863):336-9. doi: 10.1126/science.3388043.
Odorant-binding protein (OBP) is found in nasal epithelium, and it selectively binds odorants. Three complementary DNAs encoding rat odorant-binding protein have now been cloned and sequenced. One clone contains an open reading frame predicted to encode an 18,091-dalton protein. RNA blot analysis confirms the localization of OBP messenger RNA in the nasal epithelium. This OBP has 33 percent amino acid identity to alpha 2-microglobulin, a secreted plasma protein. Other members of an alpha 2-microglobulin superfamily bind and transport hydrophobic ligands. Thus, OBP probably binds and carries odorants within the nasal epithelium to putative olfactory receptors.
气味结合蛋白（OBP）存在于鼻上皮中，它能选择性地结合气味分子。现已克隆并测序了三种编码大鼠气味结合蛋白的互补DNA。其中一个克隆含有一个开放阅读框，预计可编码一种18091道尔顿的蛋白质。RNA印迹分析证实了OBP信使RNA在鼻上皮中的定位。这种OBP与α2-微球蛋白（一种分泌型血浆蛋白）有33%的氨基酸同源性。α2-微球蛋白超家族的其他成员能结合并转运疏水性配体。因此，OBP可能在鼻上皮内结合并携带气味分子至假定的嗅觉受体。
