Abstract: Cooling compounds are provided having the formula: wherein, m is 0 or 1, Y and Z are selected independently from the group consisting of H, OH, C1-C4 straight or branched alkyl, and a C1-C4 straight or branched alkoxy, X is (CH2)n—R, where n is 0 or 1 and R is a group with non-bonding electrons, with the provisos that: (a) when Y and Z are H, X is not F, OH, MeO or NO2 in the 4-position and is not OH in the 2 or 6-position (b) when Y or Z is H then X, Y and Z are such that (i) the groups in the 3- and 4-positions are not both OMe, (ii) the groups in the 4- and 5-positions are not both OMe, (iii) the groups in 3- and 5-positions are not OMe if the group in the 4-position is OH, and (iv) the groups in the 3- and 5-positions are not OH if the group in the 4-position is methyl.

Abstract: G?q-Gustducin chimeric G-proteins that functionally couple to G-protein coupled receptors. The chimeras can be expressed in heterologous cell systems and can be used as the basis of assays for identifying modulators of taste response, in particular bitter, sweet or umami taste responses.