OR1D4 and OR1D5 are olfactory receptors belonging to the G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) family. These receptors interact with odorant molecules in the nose to initiate neuronal responses that trigger smell perception. They share a 7-transmembrane domain structure common to many neurotransmitter and hormone receptors and are responsible for the recognition and G protein-mediated transduction of odorant signals . The genes encoding these receptors are part of the largest gene family in the human genome. OR1D4 is also known as Olfactory receptor 17-30 (OR17-30), while OR1D5 is also known as Olfactory receptor 17-31 (OR17-31) .
The molecular weight of OR1D4/OR1D5 proteins is approximately 35,227 Da . This information is critical when analyzing Western blot results to confirm the specificity of antibody binding. When performing SDS-PAGE and subsequent Western blotting, researchers should expect to observe bands corresponding to this molecular weight. Variations from this expected weight might indicate post-translational modifications, protein degradation, or non-specific binding that would require further optimization of experimental protocols .
OR1D4/OR1D5 antibodies have been validated for multiple research applications including:
| Application | Recommended Dilution | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Western Blot (WB) | 1:500 - 1:2000 | Effective for protein detection in cell lysates |
| Immunofluorescence (IF) | 1:200 - 1:1000 | Suitable for cellular localization studies |
| ELISA | 1:20000 | High sensitivity for quantitative analysis |
These antibodies have been successfully used to detect OR1D4/OR1D5 expression in various cell lines and can be employed in research focusing on olfactory receptor distribution and function .
The OR1D4/OR1D5 antibodies have been successfully tested on multiple cell lines for Western blot analysis, including:
HeLa (human cervical cancer cells)
HUVEC (human umbilical vein endothelial cells)
Jurkat (human T lymphocyte cells)
HepG2 (human liver cancer cells)
MCF-7 (human breast cancer cells)
This validation across diverse cell types suggests the antibody's reliability for detecting these receptors in various research contexts, including both cancer and non-cancer cell lines .
Distinguishing between OR1D4 and OR1D5 presents a significant challenge due to their high sequence homology. Most commercially available antibodies recognize both receptors due to shared epitopes . For experiments requiring specific detection of either OR1D4 or OR1D5:
Consider using RNA-based methods (qPCR with specific primers) alongside protein detection.
Perform epitope mapping to identify regions with sequence differences.
Use blocking peptides specific to each receptor to confirm antibody specificity.
Consider knockout/knockdown controls for each receptor separately.
When absolute distinction is critical, custom antibodies raised against unique peptide sequences from each receptor may be necessary, though this approach requires extensive validation .
A robust validation strategy for OR1D4/OR1D5 antibodies should include:
Positive control: Cell lines known to express OR1D4/OR1D5 (e.g., MCF-7, HeLa)
Negative control: Cell lines with minimal expression or OR1D4/OR1D5-knockout models
Peptide competition: Pre-incubating the antibody with the immunizing peptide should eliminate specific binding
Secondary antibody-only control: To detect non-specific binding from the secondary antibody
Isotype control: Using matched IgG from the same species to identify non-specific binding
Evidence from the literature shows successful peptide competition assays with OR1D4/OR1D5 antibodies in Western blot and immunofluorescence applications, where signal disappears when the antibody is pre-incubated with the synthesized peptide .
Optimizing Western blot protocols for OR1D4/OR1D5 detection requires careful consideration of several parameters:
Sample preparation:
Use fresh samples or properly stored frozen lysates
Include protease inhibitors to prevent degradation
Consider membrane-enriched fractions as these are membrane proteins
Gel electrophoresis:
Use 10-12% SDS-PAGE gels for optimal separation around 35 kDa
Load sufficient protein (20-50 μg total protein per lane)
Transfer and blocking:
Use PVDF membranes for better protein retention
Block with 5% BSA rather than milk (GPCRs can interact non-specifically with milk proteins)
Antibody incubation:
Start with 1:1000 dilution in 5% BSA/TBST
Incubate primary antibody overnight at 4°C
Use validated cell lines (HeLa, MCF-7) as positive controls
Detection:
Western blot analysis of lysates from multiple cell lines shows clear bands at the expected molecular weight when these optimization steps are followed .
For successful immunofluorescence studies with OR1D4/OR1D5 antibodies:
Fixation and permeabilization:
4% paraformaldehyde (10-15 minutes) preserves membrane protein structure
Mild permeabilization with 0.1-0.2% Triton X-100 is recommended
Overfixation can mask epitopes of membrane proteins
Antibody dilution and incubation:
Start with 1:500 dilution based on validated protocols
Incubate primary antibody overnight at 4°C for optimal binding
Include parallel samples with blocking peptide as specificity controls
Visualization and colocalization:
Use confocal microscopy for precise subcellular localization
Consider counterstaining with membrane markers to confirm localization
Z-stack imaging helps distinguish true membrane localization from cytoplasmic signals
Controls and validation:
Published images show that OR1D4/OR1D5 antibodies typically reveal a membrane and cytoplasmic distribution pattern in positive cell lines, with signal effectively blocked by competing peptides .
OR1D4/OR1D5 expression was initially characterized in olfactory epithelium, but research has revealed expression in diverse tissues:
| Tissue Type | Relative Expression Level | Detection Method |
|---|---|---|
| Olfactory epithelium | High | IHC, RNA-seq |
| Testis | Moderate | RNA-seq, WB |
| Liver | Low-Moderate | WB (HepG2 cells) |
| Breast | Variable | WB (MCF-7 cells) |
| Blood cells | Low | WB (K562, Jurkat cells) |
When investigating expression in non-olfactory tissues, it's essential to use multiple detection methods (protein and mRNA) due to potentially low expression levels. The validation of OR1D4/OR1D5 antibodies in diverse cell lines including HeLa, HUVEC, Jurkat, HepG2, and MCF-7 suggests expression across multiple tissue types, though at varying levels .
Non-specific binding is a common challenge with OR1D4/OR1D5 antibodies. To mitigate this issue:
Optimize blocking conditions:
Use 5% BSA instead of milk
Consider adding 0.1-0.5% Tween-20 to reduce hydrophobic interactions
Extended blocking (2+ hours) may reduce background
Antibody optimization:
Titrate antibody concentrations starting at higher dilutions (1:2000)
Reduce incubation temperature (4°C) and extend time (overnight)
Pre-absorb antibody with cell/tissue lysates from negative controls
Stringent washing:
Increase washing duration and volume
Use PBS-T with higher detergent concentration (0.1-0.2% Tween-20)
Include additional washing steps after primary and secondary antibody incubations
Signal validation:
Always run peptide competition controls
Compare observed bands/signals with expected molecular weight
Use gradient gels to better resolve proteins of similar sizes
Western blot analysis shows that proper optimization can yield clean bands at the expected molecular weight (35 kDa), with minimal background when appropriate controls and blocking strategies are employed .
Co-immunoprecipitation (co-IP) with OR1D4/OR1D5 requires special considerations due to their membrane protein nature:
Lysis buffer optimization:
Use non-denaturing detergents (0.5-1% NP-40, Digitonin, or CHAPS)
Include physiological salt concentrations (150 mM NaCl)
Add protease inhibitors and phosphatase inhibitors if studying phosphorylation events
Pre-clearing strategy:
Pre-clear lysates with control IgG and Protein A/G beads
Use matched species IgG controls to identify non-specific binding
Antibody binding:
Use 2-5 μg antibody per 500 μg protein lysate
Incubate overnight at 4°C with gentle rotation
Consider crosslinking antibody to beads to avoid antibody contamination in eluates
Washing conditions:
Use stringent washes to minimize non-specific interactions
Include detergent in all wash buffers
Consider salt gradient washes for removing weak interactions
Elution and analysis:
This methodology is particularly relevant for studies investigating G-protein coupling and other signaling partners of OR1D4/OR1D5.
Adapting OR1D4/OR1D5 antibodies for high-throughput screening requires careful optimization:
ELISA-based approaches:
Use recommended 1:20000 antibody dilution for optimal sensitivity
Develop sandwich ELISA protocols with capture and detection antibodies
Implement automated washing and detection systems
Cell-based screening:
Adapt immunofluorescence protocols to 96/384-well formats
Optimize cell density, fixation, and antibody concentration
Use automated microscopy with standardized exposure settings
Protein array applications:
Validate antibody specificity on protein arrays before screening
Optimize blocking to minimize background on array surfaces
Develop quantitative readout systems
Quality control measures:
Include positive controls (known expressing cells) on each plate
Monitor batch-to-batch antibody variation
Implement statistically robust normalization methods
These approaches enable screening for compounds that modulate OR1D4/OR1D5 expression or function, or for identifying tissue samples with aberrant receptor expression .
Although not explicitly mentioned in the search results as a validated application, researchers interested in immunohistochemistry (IHC) with OR1D4/OR1D5 antibodies should consider:
Tissue preparation:
Test both frozen and FFPE tissues as epitope accessibility may differ
Optimize antigen retrieval (citrate buffer pH 6.0 is often effective for GPCRs)
Consider light fixation to preserve membrane protein epitopes
Protocol adaptation:
Start with dilutions used for immunofluorescence (1:200-1:1000)
Test multiple detection systems (HRP/DAB vs. fluorescent)
Develop tissue-specific blocking protocols
Validation approaches:
Use olfactory epithelium as positive control tissue
Implement peptide competition controls
Compare with in situ hybridization for mRNA detection
Signal interpretation:
Expect membrane localization with possible cytoplasmic components
Carefully distinguish specific staining from tissue autofluorescence
Quantify expression using digital image analysis with appropriate controls
These methodological considerations are extrapolated from the validated applications (WB, IF, ELISA) and general principles for GPCR detection in tissues .
Inconsistent results with OR1D4/OR1D5 antibodies may stem from several factors:
Sample preparation variability:
Standardize cell culture conditions and passage numbers
Use consistent lysis protocols with fresh buffers
Aliquot antibodies to avoid freeze-thaw cycles
Technical optimization:
Create detailed protocols with standardized incubation times and temperatures
Prepare master mixes for antibody dilutions
Calibrate equipment (gel systems, imagers) regularly
Systematic approach to troubleshooting:
Change one variable at a time (blocking agent, antibody dilution, incubation time)
Document all changes and outcomes methodically
Run positive control samples in parallel with experimental samples
Antibody validation:
Test multiple antibody lots if possible
Re-validate each new lot against known positive controls
Consider alternative antibodies targeting different epitopes
Western blot analysis of OR1D4/OR1D5 across multiple cell lines (HeLa, HUVEC, Jurkat, HepG2, MCF-7, K562) shows that consistent results can be achieved when these factors are properly controlled .
To maintain antibody performance and consistency:
Storage conditions:
Store at -20°C for long-term preservation
Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles by preparing single-use aliquots
Store working dilutions at 4°C for no more than 2 weeks
Buffer considerations:
Commercial OR1D4/OR1D5 antibodies are typically supplied in PBS with 50% glycerol, 0.5% BSA, and 0.02% sodium azide
Maintain these components in working dilutions when possible
Avoid bacterial contamination by using sterile technique
Handling precautions:
Allow antibodies to equilibrate to room temperature before opening
Centrifuge briefly before opening to collect liquid
Avoid contamination of stock solutions
Quality monitoring:
Record lot numbers and performance characteristics
Regularly test against positive controls
Document any changes in performance over time
Proper storage and handling ensure consistent antibody performance across experiments, particularly important for longitudinal studies .
In olfactory neuroscience, OR1D4/OR1D5 antibodies serve several important functions:
Receptor localization studies:
Mapping receptor distribution within olfactory epithelium
Examining subcellular localization in olfactory neurons
Investigating developmental expression patterns
Signal transduction research:
Identifying coupling with G-proteins and downstream effectors
Studying receptor internalization upon odorant binding
Examining adaptation and desensitization mechanisms
Comparative neurobiology:
Comparing OR1D4/OR1D5 expression across species
Investigating evolutionary conservation of olfactory pathways
Studying receptor specialization in different ecological niches
Clinical applications:
Examining receptor alterations in olfactory disorders
Investigating changes in receptor expression with aging
Exploring links between olfactory receptor expression and neurodegenerative diseases
These applications utilize the validated immunofluorescence protocols to visualize receptor distribution and Western blotting to quantify expression levels in different experimental conditions .
Recent research suggests olfactory receptors may function outside traditional olfactory contexts. To investigate non-canonical roles:
Functional studies:
siRNA knockdown followed by signaling assays
Overexpression systems with reporter gene assays
CRISPR-Cas9 knockout models to identify phenotypic changes
Signaling pathway analysis:
Phosphorylation studies of downstream signaling components
Calcium imaging to detect receptor activation
cAMP assays to measure G-protein coupling efficiency
Protein interaction studies:
Co-immunoprecipitation to identify novel binding partners
Proximity ligation assays to confirm interactions in situ
Mass spectrometry of immunoprecipitated complexes
Physiological relevance assessment:
Tissue-specific expression analysis using validated antibodies
Correlation of expression levels with physiological functions
Ligand screening to identify non-odorant activators
These approaches leverage the validated applications of OR1D4/OR1D5 antibodies while extending their use to novel research questions about non-olfactory functions .