Synthesis of 1-octanethiol was attempted by carefully reacting Na2S with sulfamic acid in aqueous solution, beneath a layer of 1-octanol, in a glass vessel that would allow the contents to react under pressure. The odor of hydrogen sulfide was observed. Several hours later the octanol layer was removed and was found to have a definite […]

Human TAAR5 may contain an amine-shuttling extracellular α-helix, analogous to a similar structure postulated to exist with a similar function in ORs. TAAR5 is a known receptor for fishy smelling trimethylamine, among other compounds. Like most TAARs, it has an acidic residue inside its ligand binding pocket, located on TMR3 (ASP114) close to a tryptophan […]

Subjects with two copies of a mutated version of the OR5A1 receptor report the smell of β-ionone as vinegar-like instead of floral. The overall sensitivity to this compound is also reduced. We have used these facts to assign the floral perceptual note to OR5A1. However, the mutation is at position 183 in one of the […]