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Updated: Aug 5, 2026
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Mouse Genome Engineering Using Designer Nucleases
Published on: April 2, 2014
Positional cloning of the mouse saccharin preference (Sac) locus
A A Bachmanov1, X Li, D R Reed
1Monell Chemical Senses Center, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
Chemical Senses
|September 14, 2001
Summary
Genetic studies reveal that the Tas1r3 gene, encoding the T1R3 taste receptor, determines differences in sweetener preference in mice. This gene is equivalent to the saccharin preference (Sac) locus, directly impacting taste perception.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Sweetener intake varies among mouse strains, influenced by the saccharin preference (Sac) locus.
- Previous research localized the Sac locus to a specific genomic region.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the gene responsible for the saccharin preference (Sac) locus.
- To investigate the role of the T1R3 taste receptor in sweetener preference.
Main Methods:
- Genetic and physical mapping to define the Sac locus region.
- DNA sequencing and gene annotation.
- Functional studies using introgression of specific alleles via backcrossing.
- Analysis of genomic sequences and sweetener preference phenotypes.
Main Results:
- Identified the Tas1r3 gene, encoding the T1R3 taste receptor, within the critical genomic interval for Sac.
- Demonstrated that introgressing the Tas1r3 allele from a high-preference strain rescues the low-preference phenotype in another strain.
- Discovered two common Tas1r3 haplotypes correlated with high and low sweetener preference.
Conclusions:
- Tas1r3 is functionally equivalent to the Sac locus.
- The T1R3 receptor plays a direct role in mediating sweetener preference in mice.
