or12

Or12 is a gene symbol used to designate a member of the odorant receptor (OR) gene family in various organisms. Odorant receptors are G protein-coupled receptors expressed on olfactory sensory neurons and are involved in detecting volatile odorant molecules. OR12 denotes a specific receptor within the large OR repertoire; its exact sequence, chromosomal location, and whether it is functional or a pseudogene vary across species.

In humans, the OR gene family comprises hundreds of genes, of which many are pseudogenes. Functional OR12 homologs exist in several other mammals and vertebrates, where they contribute to odor detection. The expression of OR12 is typically localized to the olfactory epithelium, and expression patterns can be species- and development-dependent. Research on OR12 focuses on identifying its ligand specificity, mapping its genomic context, and understanding its role in olfactory coding and perception. Comparative studies across species shed light on the evolution of the OR gene family and the diversification of odor detection capabilities.

Notes: The exact identity of OR12 is context-dependent; different species have OR12 as one of many odorant receptor genes, and database entries may use variant naming conventions. In non-biological contexts, "or12" may appear as a code or label unrelated to biology.