title: Genetic sensitivity to the bitter taste of 6-n-propylthiouracil (PROP) and its association with physiological mechanisms controlling body mass index (BMI).
abstract: Taste sensitivity to the bitter compound 6-n-propylthiouracil (PROP) is considered a marker for individual differences in taste perception that may influence food preferences and eating behavior, and thereby energy metabolism. This review describes genetic factors that may contribute to PROP sensitivity including: (1) the variants of the TAS2R38 bitter receptor with their different affinities for the stimulus; (2) the gene that controls the gustin protein that acts as a salivary trophic factor for fungiform taste papillae; and (3) other specific salivary proteins that could be involved in facilitating the binding of the PROP molecule with its receptor. In addition, we speculate on the influence of taste sensitivity on energy metabolism, possibly via modulation of the endocannabinoid system, and its possible role in regulating body composition homeostasis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Science, School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08901-8520, USA. tepper@AESOP.Rutgers.edu.
authors.forename: Beverly J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Tepper
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Monserrato, CA 09042, Italy. banni@unica.it.
authors.forename: Sebastiano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Banni
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Monserrato, CA 09042, Italy. melaniamelis@unica.it.
authors.forename: Melania
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Melis
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Monserrato, CA 09042, Italy. crnjar@unica.it.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Crnjar
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Monserrato, CA 09042, Italy. tomassin@unica.it.
authors.forename: Iole
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Tomassini Barbarossa
mesh_terms: D001823:Body Composition; D015992:Body Mass Index; D004032:Diet; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005518:Food Preferences; D006801:Humans; D009765:Obesity / Q000209:etiology; D011441:Propylthiouracil / Q000378:metabolism*; D043882:Receptors, Cannabinoid / Q000378:metabolism; D013650:Taste Buds / Q000378:metabolism*; D055697:Taste Perception / Q000235:genetics*; D013652:Taste Threshold / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D043882:Receptors, Cannabinoid; D011441:Propylthiouracil