Olfactory receptors are G protein-coupled receptors that localize to the cilia of olfactory sensory neurons where they display affinity for and bind to a variety of odor molecules. The genes encoding olfactory receptors comprise the largest family in the human genome. The binding of olfactory receptor proteins to odor molecules triggers a signal transduction that propagates nerve impulses throughout the body, ultimately leading to transmission of the signal to the brain and the subsequent perception of smell. OR5B12 (olfactory receptor 5B12) is a 314 amino acid protein. The gene encoding OR5B12 maps to human chromosome 11.
