Variation in the TAS1R2 Gene, Sweet Taste Perception and Intake of Sugars.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether variation in the TAS1R2 gene affects sucrose taste perception and sugar intake.


METHODS
Participants were men (n = 238) and women (n = 458) aged 20-29 years. A subset (n = 95) with body mass index (BMI) data available completed a sensory analysis study. A food frequency questionnaire assessed dietary intake, and eight polymorphisms were genotyped (rs12033832, rs12137730, rs35874116, rs3935570, rs4920564, rs4920566, rs7513755 and rs9701796). Sucrose taste thresholds were determined by staircase procedure (solutions: 9 × 10-6 to 0.5 mol/l). Suprathreshold sensitivity to 0.01-1.0 mol/l sucrose solutions was assessed using general Labeled Magnitude Scales.


RESULTS
A significant genotype-BMI interaction was observed for rs12033832 (G>A) for suprathreshold sensitivity (p = 0.01) and sugar intake (p = 0.003). Among participants with a BMI ≥25, G allele carriers had lower sensitivity ratings (mean incremental area under the taste sensitivity curve ± SE; GG/GA 54.4 ± 4.1 vs. AA 178.5 ± 66.6; p = 0.006), higher thresholds (GG/GA 9.3 ± 1.1 vs. AA 4.4 ± 4.3 mmol/l; p = 0.004) and consumed more sugars (GG/GA 130 ± 4 vs. AA 94 ± 13 g/day; p = 0.009). G allele carriers with a BMI <25 had lower thresholds (GG/GA 8.6 ± 0.5 vs. AA 16.7 ± 5.7 mmol/l; p = 0.02) and consumed less sugars (GG/GA 122 ± 2 vs. AA 145 ± 8 g/day; p = 0.004).


CONCLUSIONS
The rs12033832 single nucleotide polymorphism in TAS1R2 is associated with sucrose taste and sugar intake, but the effect differs depending on BMI.
Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont., Canada.
Andre G
AG
Dias
Karen M
KM
Eny
Moira
M
Cockburn
Winnie
W
Chiu
Daiva E
DE
Nielsen
Lisa
L
Duizer
Ahmed
A
El-Sohemy
D000328:Adult; D002241:Carbohydrates / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D014644:Genetic Variation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / Q000235:genetics*; D013649:Taste / Q000235:genetics*; D055815:Young Adult
D002241:Carbohydrates; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; C431926:taste receptors, type 1