Gene discovered that allows androstenone to be smelled

[Mtnjim]

They found that people with a functional copy of the gene, called OR7D4, made properly shaped receptors that accepted androstenone. But thirty percent of people had a variation of the gene (OR7D4 WM) that made a receptor into which the androstenone could not fit. The difference in the receptor was very small Gene l — just two amino acids differed — but the effects were pronounced. Those with the functional copy were eleven times more sensitive to androstenone than their counterparts. And that marked the first proof that a particular gene was responsible for a person’s ability to smell a certain odor.

Full story Here!!

And here is more:

A single gene determines whether a whiff of androstadienone smells pleasant or foul, or like nothing at all. But researchers who last year discovered this genetic peculiarity were left wondering about its social implications.

[jvkohl]

Study abstract link here:

Genetic variation in a human odorant receptor alte…[Nature. 2007] - PubMed Result

Article excerpt:
“We identify OR7D4 as a significant heritable factor influencing
androstenone and androstadienone perception, thus providing the
first reported link between genetic polymorphisms in an odorant
receptor gene and altered perception of the ligands that activate this
receptor. As predicted by the theory of combinatorial coding18, we
find that polymorphisms in the OR7D4 protein-coding sequence
alone do not fully account for specific anosmia to androstenone
and androstadienone. We think it likely that additional human odorant
receptors sensitive to androstenone and androstadienone remain
to be discovered.”

James V. Kohl
scentoferos.com

[Mad_Scientist]

Interesting. I wonder if the same genes control to what degree we are affected by the pheros.

[jvkohl]

@Mad_Scientist

Interesting. I wonder if the same genes control to what degree we are affected by the pheros.

As indicated in the abstract, it is unlikely that one gene affects sensitivity even to just one compound. Since pheromones are typically found in a mixture (thus the plural form of pheromone), many genes are probably involved in our response. Still, this study provides hope that others will be found, and that we may someday learn how the genetically coded response to pheromones affects behavior.

James V. Kohl
The Scent of Eros

[Baldman]

I’m not able to read the entire article right now but does that just mean some aren’t as sensitive to -none as others or does it mean that some cannot detect -nones at all?

[MarkL]

@Baldman

I’m not able to read the entire article right now but does that just mean some aren’t as sensitive to -none as others or does it mean that some cannot detect -nones at all?

Perhaps there is a difference worth noticing:
An individual may be more or less responsive to a pheromone in terms of a systematic effect as a result of exposure (a kind of sensitivity)
Which is a bit different from being able to consciously detect the presence of that pheromone by odor (another kind of sensitivity.)
If someone is highly responsive but completely unable to detect, then it would seem that they are suddenly and profoundly experiencing an effect … and despite the degree of the effect, it could be entirely unconscious.

Whereas if someone is very capable of detecting odor of the the pheromone, then perhaps they are more likely to make a conscious connection between the odor and their systematic response.

[bubblebob]

I guess this means that an addition of a molecule, that fits the changed receptor (OR7D4 WM), to an androstenone-mix would make it more powerful!