Abstract: The present invention relates to the discovery that the T1R receptors assemble to form functional taste receptors. Particularly, it has been discovered that co-expression of T1R1 and T1R3 results in a taste receptor that responds to umami taste stimuli, including monosodium glutamate. Also, it has been discovered that co-expression of the T1R2 and T1R3 receptors results in a taste receptor that responds to sweet taste stimuli including naturally occurring and artificial sweeteners. Also the present invention relates to the use of hetero-oligomeric taste receptors comprising T1R1/T1R3 and T1R2/T1R3 in assays to identify compounds that respectively respond to umami taste stimuli and sweet taste stimuli. Further, the invention relates to the constitutive of cell lines that stably or transiently co-express a combination of T1R1 and T1R3; or T1R2 and T1R3; under constitutive or inducible conditions.

Abstract: Newly identified mammalian taste-cell-specific G protein-coupled receptors which function as hetero-oligomeric complexes in the sweet taste transduction pathway, and the genes and cDNA encoding said receptors are described. Specifically, T1R G protein-coupled receptors active in sweet taste signaling as hetero-oligomeric complexes, and the genes and cDNA encoding the same, are described, along with methods for isolating such genes and for isolating and expressing such receptors. Methods for identifying putative taste modulating compounds using such hetero-oligomeric complexes also described, as is a novel surface expression facilitating peptide useful for targeting integral plasma membrane proteins to the surface of a cell.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the discovery that the T1R receptors assemble to form functional taste receptors. Particularly, it has been discovered that co-expression of T1R1 and T1R3 results in a taste receptor that responds to umami taste stimuli, including monosodium glutamate. Also, it has been discovered that co-expression of the T1R2 and T1R3 receptors results in a taste receptor that responds to sweet taste stimuli including naturally occurring and artificial sweeteners. Also the present invention relates to the use of hetero-oligomeric taste receptors comprising T1R1/T1R3 and T1R2/T1R3 in assays to identify compounds that respectively respond to umami taste stimuli and sweet taste stimuli. Further, the invention relates to the constitutive of cell lines that stably or transiently co-express a combination of T1R1 and T1R3; or T1R2 and T1R3; under constitutive or inducible conditions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the discovery that the T1R receptors assemble to form functional taste receptors. Particularly, it has been discovered that co-expression of T1R1 and T1R3 results in a taste receptor that responds to umami taste stimuli, including monosodium glutamate. Also, it has been discovered that co-expression of the T1R2 and T1R3 receptors results in a taste receptor that responds to sweet taste stimuli including naturally occurring and artificial sweeteners. Also the present invention relates to the use of hetero-oligomeric taste receptors comprising T1R1/T1R3 and T1R2/T1R3 in assays to identify compounds that respectively respond to umami taste stimuli and sweet taste stimuli. Further, the invention relates to the constitutive of cell lines that stably or transiently co-express a combination of T1R1 and T1R3; or T1R2 and T1R3; under constitutive or inducible conditions.

Abstract: A subgenus of olfactory receptors (ORs) that are activated by isovaleric acid (IVA) are identified as well as assays that utilize one or more of these ORs. These assays are useful for identifying potential anti-odorants which may be used in deodorants, air and carpet fresheners, fabric deodorizers, and other compositions for camouflaging odor attributable to IVA and related carboxylic acids.

Abstract: Methods for expressing a functional heteromeric taste receptor that responds to sweet taste stimuli are provided. These methods comprise the co-expression of T1R2 and T1R3 nucleic acid sequences in a host cell that desirably further expresses a G protein that couples therewith, e.g., G?15, G?16 or gustducin. In preferred embodiments, the host cells will be mammalian cells or Xenopus oocytes. These nucleic acid sequences are expressed constitutively or under inducible conditions. In preferred embodiments the expression methods will use HEK-293 cells that also stably express G?15. These methods give rise to heteromeric receptors and compositions containing that are useful in assays for identifying novel sweeteners and sweetness modulators.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the discovery that the T1R receptors assemble to form functional taste receptors. Particularly, it has been discovered that co-expression of T1R1 and T1R3 results in a taste receptor that responds to umami taste stimuli, including monosodium glutamate. Also, it has been discovered that co-expression of the T1R2 and T1R3 receptors results in a taste receptor that responds to sweet taste stimuli including naturally occurring and artificial sweeteners. Also the present invention relates to the use of hetero-oligomeric taste receptors comprising T1R1/T1R3 and T1R2/T1R3 in assays to identify compounds that respectively respond to umami taste stimuli and sweet taste stimuli. Further, the invention relates to the constitutive of cell lines that stably or transiently co-express a combination of T1R1 and T1R3; or T1R2 and T1R3; under constitutive or inducible conditions.

Abstract: Binding assays for identifying compounds that induce or modulate the T1R1/T1R3 (umami) receptor-associated taste are provided. These binding assays detect the specific binding of a compound to a T1R1/T1R3 (umami) taste receptor or detect the modulation (inhibition or enhancement) of the binding of another compound, e.g., L-glutamate, L-aspartate or lactisole to a T1R1/T1R3 umami taste receptor. Compounds that are identified in these binding assays have potential application as T1R1/T1R3 umami taste modulators and therefore can be used as flavor additives in compositions for human or animal consumption.

Abstract: Functional assays for identifying compounds that activate or modulate the activation of the T1R1/T1R3 (umami) taste receptor are provided. These assays detect the effect of one or more compounds on the activation of T1R1/T1R3 (umami) taste receptor or on the activation of T1R1/T1R3 umami taste receptor by another compound e.g., monosodium glutamate, lactisole, or another unami taste modulator. These assays preferably are cell-based functional assays and typically use cells, e.g., HEK-293 cells that express a G protein such as G?15, G?16 or gustducin. Compounds identified in the disclosed functional assays are potentially useful as flavor additives in compositions for human or animal consumption.

Abstract: Isolated or biologically pure taste receptors comprised of at least one T1R1 and T1R3 polypeptide and compositions containing are provided. These taste receptors specifically bind to and/or are specifically activated by umami taste stimuli such as glutamate compounds. These taste receptors are useful in screening assays for identifying compounds that elicit or modulate (enhance or inhibit) umami taste. Such compounds can be used as additives and flavorants to improve the taste of compositions for human or animal consumption. In preferred embodiments, the T1R1/T1R3 receptor will be comprised of human T1R1/human T1R3 expressed in association with a suitable G protein, e.g. G?15.

Abstract: Isolated or biologically pure taste receptors comprised of at least one T1R2 and T1R3 polypeptide and compositions containing are provided. These taste receptors specifically bind and/or are specifically activated by sweet taste stimuli such as natural and artificial sweetener compounds. These taste receptors are useful in screening assays for identifying compounds that elicit or modulate (enhance or inhibit) sweet taste. These compounds can be used as additives and flavorants to improve the taste of compositions for human or animal consumption. In preferred embodiments, the T1R2/T1R3 receptor will be comprised of human T1R2/human T1R3 expressed in association with a suitable G protein, preferably Gaa15.

Abstract: Cells are engineered to stably or transiently express T1R2 and T1R3 polypeptides, desirably in association with a G protein. The resultant heteromeric taste receptor is a sweet taste receptor and responds to sweet taste stimuli such as artificial and natural sweeteners, e.g., saccharin. The invention provides a preferred mammalian cell lines, e.g., HEK-293 cells that stably express T1R2/T1R3 and G?15 under inducible conditions. These cells are useful in cell-based assays for identifying compounds that elicit or modulate sweet taste.

Abstract: Functional assays for identifying compounds that activate or modulate the activation of the T1R2/T1R3 (sweet) taste receptor are provided. These assays detect the effect of one or more compounds on the activation of T1R2/T1R3 (sweet) taste receptor or on the activation of T1R2/T1R3 sweet taste receptor by another, compound e.g., saccharin or another artificial or natural sweetener. These assays preferably are cell-based functional assays and typically use cells, e.g., HEK-293 cells that stably express a G protein such as G?15, G?16 or gustducin. Compounds identified in the disclosed functional assays are potentially useful as additives in compositions for human or animal consumption.

Abstract: Modified human TRPM8 nucleic acid sequences which are efficiently expressed in human cells and cell-based assays and test kits containing same are provided. These assays identify TRPM8 modulators using cells that express a modified human TRPM8 nucleic acid sequence according to the invention, wherein said sequence has been modified relative to a wild-type human TRPM8 nucleic acid sequence in order to optimize ion channel expression in desired cells. Assays using these modified TRPM8 sequences have been shown to identify compounds that modulate the human TRPM8 ion channel better or comparably to known coolants such as menthol and icilin.

Abstract: Nucleic acid sequences encoding novel splice variants that encode subunits of an ENaC expressed in human taste tissue are provided. These splice variants when expressed in association with other ENaC subunits, i.e., ?, ? and ? subunits or ?, ? and ? subunits may be used to produce amiloride-insensitive ENACs. The resultant amiloride-insensitive ENaCs are useful in in vitro assays for identifying ENaC modulators that modulate taste (enhance or inhibit), particularly human salty taste.

Abstract: Functional assays for identifying compounds that activate or modulate the activation of the T1R1/T1R3 (umami) taste receptor are provided. These assays detect the effect of one or more compounds on the activation of T1R1/T1R3 (umami) taste receptor or on the activation of T1R1/T1R3 umami taste receptor by another compound e.g., monosodium glutamate, lactisole, or another unami taste modulator. These assays preferably are cell-based functional assays and typically use cells, e.g., HEK-293 cells that express a G protein such as G?15, G?16 or gustducin. Compounds identified in the disclosed functional assays are potentially useful as flavor additives in compositions for human or animal consumption.

Abstract: Isolated or biologically pure taste receptors comprised of at least one T1R2 and T1R3 polypeptide and compositions containing are provided. These taste receptors specifically bind and/or are specifically activated by sweet taste stimuli such as natural and artificial sweetener compounds. These taste receptors are useful in screening assays for identifying compounds that elicit or modulate (enhance or inhibit) sweet taste. These compounds can be used as additives and flavorants to improve the taste of compositions for human or animal consumption. In preferred embodiments, the T1R2/T1R3 receptor will be comprised of human T1R2/human T1R3 expressed in association with a suitable G protein, preferably G?15.

Abstract: Functional assays for identifying compounds that activate or modulate the activation of the T1R2/T1R3 (sweet) taste receptor are provided. These assays detect the effect of one or more compounds on the activation of T1R2/T1R3 (sweet) taste receptor or on the activation of T1R2/T1R3 sweet taste receptor by another, compound e.g., saccharin or another artificial or natural sweetener. These assays preferably are cell-based functional assays and typically use cells, e.g., HEK-293 cells that stably express a G protein such as G?15, G?16 or gustducin. Compounds identified in the disclosed functional assays are potentially useful as additives in compositions for human or animal consumption.

Abstract: Newly identified mammalian taste-cell-specific G protein-coupled receptors which function as hetero-oligomeric complexes in the sweet taste transduction pathway, and the genes and cDNA encoding said receptors are described. Specifically, T1R G protein-coupled receptors active in sweet taste signaling as hetero-oligomeric complexes, and the genes and cDNA encoding the same, are described, along with methods for isolating such genes and for isolating and expressing such receptors. Methods for identifying putative taste modulating compounds using such hetero-oligomeric complexes also described, as is a novel surface expression facilitating peptide useful for targeting integral plasma membrane proteins to the surface of a cell.

Abstract: Newly identified mammalian taste-cell-specific G protein-coupled receptors which function as hetero-oligomeric complexes in the sweet taste transduction pathway, and the genes and cDNA encoding said receptors are described. Specifically, T1R G protein-coupled receptors active in sweet taste signaling as hetero-oligomeric complexes, and the genes and cDNA encoding the same, are described, along with methods for isolating such genes and for isolating and expressing such receptors. Methods for identifying putative taste modulating compounds using such hetero-oligomeric complexes also described, as is a novel surface expression facilitating peptide useful for targeting integral plasma membrane proteins to the surface of a cell.