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Bachmanov AA, Bosak NP, Glendinning JI, Inoue M, Li X, Manita S, McCaughey SA, Murata Y, Reed DR, Tordoff MG, Beauchamp GK. Genetics of Amino Acid Taste and Appetite. Adv Nutr 2016; 7:806S-22S. [PMID: 27422518 PMCID: PMC4942865 DOI: 10.3945/an.115.011270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The consumption of amino acids by animals is controlled by both oral and postoral mechanisms. We used a genetic approach to investigate these mechanisms. Our studies have shown that inbred mouse strains differ in voluntary amino acid consumption, and these differences depend on sensory and nutritive properties of amino acids. Like humans, mice perceive some amino acids as having a sweet (sucrose-like) taste and others as having an umami (glutamate-like) taste. Mouse strain differences in the consumption of some sweet-tasting amino acids (d-phenylalanine, d-tryptophan, and l-proline) are associated with polymorphisms of a taste receptor, type 1, member 3 gene (Tas1r3), and involve differential peripheral taste responsiveness. Strain differences in the consumption of some other sweet-tasting amino acids (glycine, l-alanine, l-glutamine, and l-threonine) do not depend on Tas1r3 polymorphisms and so must be due to allelic variation in other, as yet unknown, genes involved in sweet taste. Strain differences in the consumption of l-glutamate may depend on postingestive rather than taste mechanisms. Thus, genes and physiologic mechanisms responsible for strain differences in the consumption of each amino acid depend on the nature of its taste and postingestive properties. Overall, mouse strain differences in amino acid taste and appetite have a complex genetic architecture. In addition to the Tas1r3 gene, these differences depend on other genes likely involved in determining the taste and postingestive effects of amino acids. The identification of these genes may lead to the discovery of novel mechanisms that regulate amino acid taste and appetite.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - John I Glendinning
- Department of Biology, Barnard College, Columbia University, New York, NY
| | - Masashi Inoue
- Monell Chemical Senses Center, Philadelphia, PA; Laboratory of Cellular Neurobiology, School of Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Science, Hachioji, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Xia Li
- Monell Chemical Senses Center, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Satoshi Manita
- Monell Chemical Senses Center, Philadelphia, PA; Laboratory of Cellular Neurobiology, School of Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Science, Hachioji, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - Yuko Murata
- Monell Chemical Senses Center, Philadelphia, PA; National Research Institute of Fisheries Science, Yokohama, Japan; and
| | | | | | - Gary K Beauchamp
- Monell Chemical Senses Center, Philadelphia, PA; Department of Psychology and School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
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Bachmanov AA, Bosak NP, Lin C, Matsumoto I, Ohmoto M, Reed DR, Nelson TM. Genetics of taste receptors. Curr Pharm Des 2014; 20:2669-83. [PMID: 23886383 PMCID: PMC4764331 DOI: 10.2174/13816128113199990566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2013] [Accepted: 07/24/2013] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Taste receptors function as one of the interfaces between internal and external milieus. Taste receptors for sweet and umami (T1R [taste receptor, type 1]), bitter (T2R [taste receptor, type 2]), and salty (ENaC [epithelial sodium channel]) have been discovered in the recent years, but transduction mechanisms of sour taste and ENaC-independent salt taste are still poorly understood. In addition to these five main taste qualities, the taste system detects such noncanonical "tastes" as water, fat, and complex carbohydrates, but their reception mechanisms require further research. Variations in taste receptor genes between and within vertebrate species contribute to individual and species differences in taste-related behaviors. These variations are shaped by evolutionary forces and reflect species adaptations to their chemical environments and feeding ecology. Principles of drug discovery can be applied to taste receptors as targets in order to develop novel taste compounds to satisfy demand in better artificial sweeteners, enhancers of sugar and sodium taste, and blockers of bitterness of food ingredients and oral medications.
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Bachmanov AA, Bosak NP, Floriano WB, Inoue M, Li X, Lin C, Murovets VO, Reed DR, Zolotarev VA, Beauchamp GK. Genetics of sweet taste preferences. FLAVOUR FRAG J 2011; 26:286-294. [PMID: 21743773 PMCID: PMC3130742 DOI: 10.1002/ffj.2074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Sweet taste is a powerful factor influencing food acceptance. There is considerable variation in sweet taste perception and preferences within and among species. Although learning and homeostatic mechanisms contribute to this variation in sweet taste, much of it is genetically determined. Recent studies have shown that variation in the T1R genes contributes to within- and between-species differences in sweet taste. In addition, our ongoing studies using the mouse model demonstrate that a significant portion of variation in sweetener preferences depends on genes that are not involved in peripheral taste processing. These genes are likely involved in central mechanisms of sweet taste processing, reward and/or motivation. Genetic variation in sweet taste not only influences food choice and intake, but is also associated with proclivity to drink alcohol. Both peripheral and central mechanisms of sweet taste underlie correlation between sweet-liking and alcohol consumption in animal models and humans. All these data illustrate complex genetics of sweet taste preferences and its impact on human nutrition and health. Identification of genes responsible for within- and between-species variation in sweet taste can provide tools to better control food acceptance in humans and other animals.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Wely B Floriano
- Department of Chemistry, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, ON, Canada
| | - Masashi Inoue
- Laboratory of Cellular Neurobiology, School of Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Hachioji, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Xia Li
- Monell Chemical Senses Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Cailu Lin
- Monell Chemical Senses Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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Abstract
A greater understanding of the molecular mechanisms of sweet taste has profound significance for the food industry as well as for consumers. Understanding the mechanism by which sweet taste is elicited by saccharides, peptides, and proteins will assist science and industry in their search for sweet substances with fewer negative health effects. The original AH-B theories have been supplanted by detailed structural models. Recent identification of the human sweet receptor as a dimeric G-protein coupled receptor comprising T1R2 and T1R3 subunits has greatly increased the understanding of the mechanisms involved in sweet molecule binding and sweet taste transduction. This review discusses early theories of the sweet receptor, recent research of sweetener chemoreception of nonprotein and protein ligands, homology modeling, the transduction pathway, the possibility of the sweet receptor functioning allosterically, as well as the implications of allelic variation.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Meyers
- NutraSweet Co., Chicago, IL 60654, USA
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