HGNC Approved Gene Symbol: RTP1
Cytogenetic location: 3q27.3 Genomic coordinates (GRCh38): 3:187,197,486-187,201,462 (from NCBI)
Transport of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) to the cell surface membrane is critical for receptor-ligand recognition. However, mammalian GPCR odorant receptors (ORs), when heterologously expressed in cells, are poorly expressed on the cell surface. By screening for genes that induced cell surface expression of ORs expressed in human embryonic kidney cells, Saito et al. (2004) identified mouse and human RTP1. The deduced mouse Rtp1 protein contains 263 amino acids and shares 73% identity with mouse Rtp2 (609138). Rtp1 lacks a signal peptide, but it has a C-terminal transmembrane domain. Northern blot analysis of mouse tissues detected prominent expression of Rtp1 in olfactory and vomeronasal organs. Long exposure revealed faint expression in brain. In situ hybridization of mouse olfactory epithelium revealed specific expression of Rtp1 in olfactory neurons.
Saito et al. (2004) showed that mouse Rtp1 and Rtp2 promoted functional cell surface expression of ORs expressed in human embryonic kidney cells. Rtp1 and Rtp2 were associated with OR proteins and enhanced the OR responses to odorants. Similar but weaker effects were seen with a third protein, Reep1 (609139). These findings suggested that RTP1 and RTP2 play significant roles in the translocation of ORs to the plasma membrane, as well as in the functioning of ORs.
By coexpression in HEK293 cells, Behrens et al. (2006) found that surface expression of bitter taste receptors (see 604791) was influenced by RTP and REEP family members, which in turn altered ligand-stimulated receptor activation.
Gross (2014) mapped the RTP1 gene to chromosome 3q27.3 based on an alignment of the RTP1 sequence (GenBank BC065202) with the genomic sequence (GRCh37).
Behrens, M., Bartelt, J., Reichling, C., Winnig, M., Kuhn, C., Meyerhof, W. Members of RTP and REEP gene families influence functional bitter taste receptor expression. J. Biol. Chem. 281: 20650-20659, 2006. [PubMed: 16720576] [Full Text: https://doi.org/10.1074/jbc.M513637200]
Gross, M. B. Personal Communication. Baltimore, Md. 5/29/2014.
Saito, H., Kubota, M., Roberts, R. W., Chi, Q., Matsunami, H. RTP family members induce functional expression of mammalian odorant receptors. Cell 119: 679-691, 2004. [PubMed: 15550249] [Full Text: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2004.11.021]