title: L-Theanine elicits umami taste via the T1R1 + T1R3 umami taste receptor.
abstract: L-Theanine is a unique amino acid present in green tea. It elicits umami taste and has a considerable effect on tea taste and quality. We investigated L-theanine activity on the T1R1 + T1R3 umami taste receptor. L-Theanine activated T1R1 + T1R3-expressing cells and showed a synergistic response with inosine 5'-monophosphate. The site-directed mutagenesis analysis revealed that L-theanine binds to L-amino acid binding site in the Venus flytrap domain of T1R1. This study shows that L-theanine elicits an umami taste via T1R1 + T1R3.
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8657, Japan.
authors.forename: Masataka
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Narukawa
authors.forename: Yasuka
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Toda
authors.forename: Tomoya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nakagita
authors.forename: Yukako
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hayashi
authors.forename: Takumi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Misaka
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005971:Glutamates / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D057809:HEK293 Cells; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D013649:Taste
chemical_list: D005971:Glutamates; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; C026166:theanine