A candidate taste receptor gene near a sweet taste locus

Nat Neurosci. 2001 May;4(5):492-8. doi: 10.1038/87440.

Abstract

The mechanisms underlying sweet taste in mammals have been elusive. Although numerous studies have implicated G proteins in sweet taste detection, the expected G protein-coupled receptors have not been found. Here we describe a candidate taste receptor gene, T1r3, that is located at or near the mouse Sac locus, a genetic locus that controls the detection of certain sweet tastants. T1R3 differs in amino acid sequence in mouse strains with different Sac phenotypes ('tasters' versus 'nontasters'). In addition, a perfect correlation exists between two different T1r3 alleles and Sac phenotypes in recombinant inbred mouse strains. The T1r3 gene is expressed in a subset of taste cells in circumvallate, foliate and fungiform taste papillae. In circumvallate and foliate papillae, most T1r3-expressing cells also express a gene encoding a related receptor, T1R2, raising the possibility that these cells recognize more than one ligand, or that the two receptors function as heterodimers.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Alleles
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Chemoreceptor Cells / physiology*
  • Chromosome Mapping
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • DNA / genetics
  • Genes / physiology*
  • In Situ Hybridization
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred Strains
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Phenotype
  • Polymorphism, Genetic / genetics
  • Taste / genetics*
  • Taste Buds / metabolism

Substances

  • DNA

Associated data

  • GENBANK/AF337039
  • GENBANK/AF337040
  • GENBANK/AF337041