Mammalian sweet taste receptors.

TitleMammalian sweet taste receptors.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2001
AuthorsNelson, G., Hoon M. A., Chandrashekar J., Zhang Y., Ryba N. J., & Zuker C. S.
JournalCell
Volume106
Issue3
Pagination381-90
Date Published2001 Aug 10
KeywordsAnimals, Calcium Signaling, Cell Line, Chromosomes, Human, Pair 4, Cricetinae, Evolution, Molecular, Gene Expression Profiling, Genetic Complementation Test, Heterotrimeric GTP-Binding Proteins, Humans, Mice, Mice, Transgenic, Molecular Sequence Data, Multigene Family, Phenylurea Compounds, Physical Chromosome Mapping, Receptors, Cell Surface, Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled, RNA, Messenger, saccharin, Substrate Specificity, Sucrose, Sweetening Agents, Taste, Taste Buds, Thiazines, 味觉生理
Abstract

The sense of taste provides animals with valuable information about the quality and nutritional value of food. Previously, we identified a large family of mammalian taste receptors involved in bitter taste perception (the T2Rs). We now report the characterization of mammalian sweet taste receptors. First, transgenic rescue experiments prove that the Sac locus encodes T1R3, a member of the T1R family of candidate taste receptors. Second, using a heterologous expression system, we demonstrate that T1R2 and T1R3 combine to function as a sweet receptor, recognizing sweet-tasting molecules as diverse as sucrose, saccharin, dulcin, and acesulfame-K. Finally, we present a detailed analysis of the patterns of expression of T1Rs and T2Rs, thus providing a view of the representation of sweet and bitter taste at the periphery.
Alternate JournalCell