A polymorphism in the human gene encoding OBPIIa affects the perceived intensity of smelled odors

Abstract

Among the factors that contribute to the physiological variability of the olfactory function of individuals, an important role seems to be played by the OBPs present in the mucus that bathes the ciliated terminals of the olfactory sensory neurons, facilitating the access of odorants to the olfactory receptors. It was recently highlighted that the rs2590498 polymorphism in the odor binding-protein (OBPIIa) gene it is associated with the olfactory threshold in healthy individuals. Aim of this study was to evaluate: 1) the presence of a relationship between the threshold olfactory performance of healthy subjects and the intensity with which they perceive the smelled odorants, and 2) the effect of the rs2590498 polymorphism of the OBPIIa gene on perceived intensity. We found a positive correlation between threshold olfactory and perceived intensity, and that AA homozygous subjects reported a perceived intensity higher than heterozygous and GG homozygous subjects. By showing a positive effect of the rs2590498 polymorphism of the hOBPIIa gene on the intensity perceived, these results suggest that it allows a larger number of molecules in an odorous mixture to reach the olfactory receptors.

Keywords: OBPIIa odorant binding proteins; Olfactory function; Olfactory threshold; Physiological variations of perceived intensity.