Topology prediction of insect olfactory receptors

Abstract

Olfactory receptors are important transmembrane proteins that enable organisms to perceive odours and react to them. Structural understanding of insect olfactory receptors is scarce. In this review, we discuss different transmembrane helix prediction methods, consensus methods, topology prediction methods which can enable topology prediction of these proteins. We discuss the current success rates by applying the algorithms on few G-protein coupled receptors of known structure and olfactory receptor sequences and outstanding challenges. Finally, we discuss the impact of topology prediction on biology and modeling of ORs.