title: Molecular basis of bitter taste: the T2R family of G protein-coupled receptors.
abstract: The sense of taste responds to a large variety of stimuli through specific transduction mechanisms. The molecular events in the perception of bitter taste are believed to start with the binding of specific water-soluble molecules to G-protein-coupled receptors encoded by the type 2 family of taste receptor genes and expressed at the surface of taste receptor cells. Recent advances in the identification and cloning of the complete repertoire of genes of this family in humans and rodents provide an opportunity to address unresolved questions in bitter taste. The functional characterization of some of the receptors that these genes encode suggests that it will be possible to understand more precisely their specific functions.
authors.affiliation: Neuroscience, Pharma Research, F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Basel 4070, Switzerland. pedro_j.andres@roche.com
authors.forename: Pedro J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Andres-Barquin
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Conte
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D006801:Humans; D008024:Ligands; D051379:Mice; D008954:Models, Biological; D011487:Protein Conformation; D051381:Rats; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D015398:Signal Transduction; D012995:Solubility; D013649:Taste; D055697:Taste Perception; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry; D000098706:Taste Receptors, Type 2
chemical_list: D008024:Ligands; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; D000098706:Taste Receptors, Type 2; D014867:Water