Gustation genetics: sweet gustducin!
Two recent studies, the second of which is reported herein, provide evidence that genetic variation in the sweet receptor subunit, TAS1R3, and the second messenger, gustducin (GNAT3), affect the ability of people to correctly sort ascending concentrations of sucrose. These findings raise questions about how variation in the TAS1R3 and GNAT3 gene shape the human sweet tooth and its unwelcome consequences, diabetes and obesity.
Reed
Danielle R
DR
Monell Chemical Senses Center, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. reed@monell.org
Margolskee
Robert F
RF
D014644:Genetic Variation; D006801:Humans; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D013395:Sucrose / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology; D013649:Taste / Q000187:drug effects*; D013650:Taste Buds / Q000378:metabolism; D015293:Transducin / Q000235:genetics*
D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; C431926:taste receptors, type 1; C075192:gustducin; D013395:Sucrose; D015293:Transducin