In most humans, OR11H7 is a pseudogene, meaning it does not result in the creation of a functional olfactory receptor protein that binds to specific odorants, although it may be functional in others. Other individuals, however, carry a single-nucleotide polymorphism on one or both chromosomes which transforms it from a pseudogene into an intact gene, and they are significantly more likely to exhibit hyperosmia to the chemical isovaleric acid. Isovaleric acid was shown to be a ligand of OR11H7.[5]
