Bitter Fruit: Inverse Associations Between PTC and Antidesma bunius Perception

Area of Science:

• Genetics
• Human Sensory Perception
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Bitter taste perception is genetically determined, primarily by the TAS2R38 gene.
• The dominant "taster" allele confers sensitivity to phenylthiocarbamide (PTC), while the recessive "non-taster" allele results in insensitivity.
• The functional role of the "non-taster" allele beyond PTC perception remains largely unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate whether the recessive "non-taster" TAS2R38 allele has a functional role in bitter taste perception.
• To explore the potential for the "non-taster" allele to mediate sensitivity to bitter compounds other than PTC.

Main Methods:

• Genetic association studies correlating TAS2R38 genotypes with bitter taste sensitivity.
• Sensory evaluation of bitter compounds, including PTC and compounds found in the tropical berry Antidesma bunius.

Main Results:

• Observed an inverse association between TAS2R38 genotype and bitter sensitivity to Antidesma bunius compared to PTC.
• Individuals with the "non-taster" allele exhibited sensitivity to bitter compounds in Antidesma bunius.

Conclusions:

• The "non-taster" allele of the TAS2R38 gene is not functionless but actively mediates bitter taste perception.
• This allele enables the perception of specific bitter compounds, such as those present in Antidesma bunius, demonstrating a broader role in chemosensation.