A single lysyl residue defines the binding specificity of a human odorant-binding protein for aldehydes

Odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) are small abundant soluble proteins belonging to the lipocalin superfamily, which are thought to carry hydrophobic odorants through aqueous mucus towards olfactory receptors. Human variant hOBP-2A has been demonstrated to bind numerous odorants of different chemical classes with a higher affinity for aldehydes and fatty acids. Three lysyl residues of the binding pocket (Lys62, Lys82 and Lysl 12) have been suggested as candidates for playing such a role. Here, using site-directed mutagenesis and fluorescent probe displacements, we show that Lysl 12 is the major determinant for governing hOBP-2A specificity towards aldehydes and small carboxylic acids. (c) 2006 Federation of European Biochemical Societies. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.