Bitter Taste Receptors for Saccharin and Acesulfame K

• DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1225-04.2004
• Publication Date: 2004-11-10T21:49:03Z
• Authors: Christina Kuhn; Bernd Bufe; Marcel Winnig; Thomas Hofmann; Oliver Frank; Maik Behrens; Tatjana Lewtschenko; Jay P. Slack; Cynthia D. Ward; Wolfgang Meyerhof
• Keywords: Aftertaste; Saccharin; Taste receptor; HEK 293 cells

Weight-conscious subjects and diabetics use the sulfonyl amide sweeteners saccharin acesulfame K to reduce their calorie sugar intake. However, intrinsic bitter aftertaste, which is caused by unknown mechanisms, limits of these sweeteners. Here, we show functional expression experiments in human embryonic kidney cells that activate two members TAS2R family (hTAS2R43 hTAS2R44) at concentrations known stimulate taste. These receptors are expressed tongue taste papillae. Moreover, sweet inhibitor lactisole did not block responses transfected with TAS2R43 TAS2R44, whereas it response expressing receptor heteromer hTAS1R2-hTAS1R3. The were also activated nanomolar aristolochic acid, a purely bitter-tasting compound. Thus, hTAS2R43 hTAS2R44 function as cognate do contribute K. Consistent vitro data, cross-adaptation studies support existence common for both