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Taste Exam: A Brief and Validated Test
Published on: August 17, 2018
Bitter taste receptors and their cells
Maik Behrens1, Claudia Reichling, Claudia Batram
1Department of Molecular Genetics, German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbruecke, Nuthetal, Germany. behrens@dife.de
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
|August 19, 2009
Summary
Human bitter taste perception relies on 25 G protein-coupled receptors (hTAS2Rs) detecting diverse compounds. Understanding hTAS2R gene family functions is key to taste research and food selection.
Area of Science:
- Molecular biology
- Genetics
- Sensory science
Background:
- Human bitter taste perception involves a limited number of G protein-coupled receptors (hTAS2Rs).
- These receptors detect thousands of diverse bitter compounds, primarily plant metabolites.
- Bitter taste perception has evolutionary significance in food selection due to the toxicity or dietary value of bitter compounds.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the molecular basis of human bitter taste perception.
- To investigate the biosynthesis and functional analyses of TAS2Rs and their variants.
- To examine the gustatory expression of hTAS2R genes.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of the hTAS2R gene family.
- Functional characterization of TAS2R receptors and variants.
- Gene expression studies in gustatory tissues.
Main Results:
- Detailed insights into the biosynthesis pathways of TAS2Rs.
- Characterization of TAS2R variants and their impact on bitter taste perception.
- Understanding the gustatory expression patterns of hTAS2R genes.
Conclusions:
- The hTAS2R gene family plays a critical role in detecting a wide array of bitter compounds.
- Functional analyses reveal the complexity of bitter taste perception and individual variations.
- Gustatory expression data provide insights into the physiological relevance of hTAS2Rs in taste perception.
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