Mammalian sweet taste receptors

Cell. 2001 Aug 10;106(3):381-90. doi: 10.1016/s0092-8674(01)00451-2.

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.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Calcium Signaling
  • Cell Line
  • Chromosomes, Human, Pair 4 / genetics
  • Cricetinae
  • Evolution, Molecular
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Genetic Complementation Test
  • Heterotrimeric GTP-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • Heterotrimeric GTP-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Multigene Family
  • Phenylurea Compounds / metabolism
  • Physical Chromosome Mapping
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / chemistry
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / genetics
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / metabolism*
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled*
  • Saccharin / metabolism
  • Substrate Specificity
  • Sucrose / metabolism
  • Sweetening Agents*
  • Taste / physiology*
  • Taste Buds / chemistry*
  • Taste Buds / cytology
  • Taste Buds / metabolism*
  • Thiazines / metabolism

Substances

  • Phenylurea Compounds
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Receptors, Cell Surface
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled
  • Sweetening Agents
  • Thiazines
  • taste receptors, type 1
  • Sucrose
  • dulcin
  • Heterotrimeric GTP-Binding Proteins
  • Saccharin
  • acetosulfame

Associated data

  • GENBANK/AY032620
  • GENBANK/AY032621
  • GENBANK/AY032622
  • GENBANK/AY032623