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The bitter truth about bitter taste receptors: beyond sensing bitter in the oral cavity

B Avau1, I Depoortere1

  • 1Translational Research Center for Gastrointestinal Disorders (TARGID), Gut Peptide Research Lab, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.

Acta Physiologica (Oxford, England)
|October 24, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Bitter taste receptors (TAS2Rs) are found beyond the tongue in organs like the airways and gut. Research explores their new roles in functions from appetite to immunity.

Area of Science:

  • Physiology
  • Pharmacology
  • Gastroenterology

Background:

  • Bitter taste receptors (TAS2Rs), a G-protein-coupled receptor family, were initially identified on the tongue over a decade ago.
  • Recent discoveries reveal TAS2Rs in numerous extra-oral tissues, including airways, gut, brain, and testes.
  • While protective functions are proposed for external-facing tissues, their presence in internal organs suggests novel roles and potential endogenous ligands.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the diverse and emerging functions of TAS2Rs in non-oral tissues.
  • To explore the implications of TAS2R presence in internal organs.
  • To highlight potential therapeutic applications of TAS2Rs.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies investigating TAS2R expression and function in extra-oral tissues.
  • Analysis of proposed roles based on experimental evidence and physiological context.
  • Synthesis of findings related to appetite regulation, respiratory conditions, gastrointestinal motility, and innate immunity.

Main Results:

  • TAS2Rs are implicated in regulating appetite and satiety.
  • Evidence suggests TAS2Rs play a role in the treatment and management of asthma.
  • TAS2Rs are involved in controlling gastrointestinal motility and airway innate immunity.

Conclusions:

  • TAS2Rs possess diverse physiological functions extending beyond taste detection.
  • Extra-oral TASRs represent potential therapeutic targets for various conditions.
  • Further research is needed to elucidate the full spectrum of TAS2R functions and endogenous ligands.
Keywords:
appetiteasthmaextra-oralinnate immunitymotilitytaste

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