Abstract: The invention provides isolated nucleic acid and amino acid sequences of taste cell specific G-protein coupled receptors, antibodies to such receptors, methods of detecting such nucleic acids and receptors, and methods of screening for modulators of taste cell specific G-protein coupled receptors.

Abstract: The invention provides nucleic acid and amino acid sequences for a novel family of taste transduction G-protein coupled receptors, antibodies to such receptors, methods of detecting such nucleic acids and receptors, and methods of screening for modulators of taste transduction G-protein coupled receptors.

Abstract: Newly identified mammalian taste-cell-specific G protein-coupled receptors, and the genes and cDNA encoding said receptors are described. Specifically, T1R G protein-coupled receptors active in taste signaling, 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 representing taste perception of a particular tastant in a mammal are also described, as are methods for generating novel molecules or combinations of molecules that elicit a predetermined taste perception in a mammal, and methods for simulating one or more tastes. Further, methods for stimulating or blocking taste perception in a mammal are also disclosed.

Abstract: Newly identified mammalian taste-cell-specific G protein-coupled receptors, and the genes and cDNA encoding said receptors are described. Specifically, T1R G protein-coupled receptors active in taste signaling, 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 representing taste perception of a particular tastant in a mammal are also described, as are methods for generating novel molecules or combinations of molecules that elicit a predetermined taste perception in a mammal, and methods for simulating one or more tastes. Further, methods for stimulating or blocking taste perception in a mammal are also disclosed.

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, and the genes and cDNA encoding said receptors are described. Specifically, T1R G protein-coupled receptors active in taste signaling, 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 representing taste perception of a particular taste stimulus in a mammal are also described, as are methods for generating novel molecules or combinations of molecules that elicit a predetermined taste perception in a mammal, and methods for simulating one or more tastes. Further, methods for stimulating or blocking taste perception in a mammal are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated nucleic acid and amino acid sequences of sensory cell specific G-protein coupled receptors, antibodies to such receptors, methods of detecting such nucleic acids and receptors, and methods of screening for modulators of sensory cell specific G-protein coupled receptors.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the discovery of a specific human taste receptor in the T2R taste receptor family, hT2R55 that responds to particular bitter compounds The present invention further relates to the use of this receptor in assays for identifying ligands that modulate the activation of this taste receptor. These compounds may be used as additives and/or removed from foods, beverages and medicinals in order to modify (block) T2R-associated bitter taste. A preferred embodiment is the use of the identified compounds as additives in foods, beverages and medicinals for blocking bitter taste.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the discovery of a specific human taste receptor in the T2R taste receptor family, hT2R67 that responds to particular bitter compounds The present invention further relates to the use of this receptor in assays for identifying ligands that modulate the activation of this taste receptor. These compounds may be used as additives and/or removed from foods, beverages and medicinals in order to modify (block) T2R-associated bitter taste. A preferred embodiment is the use of the identified compounds as additives in foods, beverages and medicinals for blocking bitter taste.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the discovery of a specific human taste receptor in the T2R taste receptor family, hT2R71 that responds to particular bitter compounds The present invention further relates to the use of this receptor in assays for identifying ligands that modulate the activation of this taste receptor. These compounds may be used as additives and/or removed from foods, beverages and medicinals in order to modify (block) T2R-associated bitter taste. A preferred embodiment is the use of the identified compounds as additives in foods, beverages and medicinals for blocking bitter taste.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the discovery of a specific human taste receptor in the T2R taste receptor family, hT2R64 that responds to particular bitter compounds The present invention further relates to the use of this receptor in assays for identifying ligands that modulate the activation of this taste receptor. These compounds may be used as additives and/or removed from foods, beverages and medicinals in order to modify (block) T2R-associated bitter taste. A preferred embodiment is the use of the identified compounds as additives in foods, beverages and medicinals for blocking bitter taste.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the discovery of a specific human taste receptor in the T2R taste receptor family, hT2R54 that responds to particular bitter compounds The present invention further relates to the use of this receptor in assays for identifying ligands that modulate the activation of this taste receptor. These compounds may be used as additives and/or removed from foods, beverages and medicinals in order to modify (block) T2R-associated bitter taste. A preferred embodiment is the use of the identified compounds as additives in foods, beverages and medicinals for blocking bitter taste.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the discovery of a specific human taste receptor in the T2R taste receptor family, hT2R75 that responds to particular bitter compounds The present invention further relates to the use of this receptor in assays for identifying ligands that modulate the activation of this taste receptor. These compounds may be used as additives and/or removed from foods, beverages and medicinals in order to modify (block) T2R-associated bitter taste. A preferred embodiment is the use of the identified compounds as additives in foods, beverages and medicinals for blocking bitter taste.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the discovery of a specific human taste receptor in the T2R taste receptor family, hT2R64 that responds to particular bitter compounds The present invention further relates to the use of this receptor in assays for identifying ligands that modulate the activation of this taste receptor. These compounds may be used as additives and/or removed from foods, beverages and medicinals in order to modify (block) T2R-associated bitter taste. A preferred embodiment is the use of the identified compounds as additives in foods, beverages and medicinals for blocking bitter taste.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the discovery of a specific human taste receptor in the T2R taste receptor family, hT2R63 that responds to particular bitter compounds The present invention further relates to the use of this receptor in assays for identifying ligands that modulate the activation of this taste receptor. These compounds may be used as additives and/or removed from foods, beverages and medicinals in order to modify (block) T2R-associated bitter taste. A preferred embodiment is the use of the identified compounds as additives in foods, beverages and medicinals for blocking bitter taste.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the discovery of a specific human taste receptor in the T2R taste receptor family, hT2R51 that responds to particular bitter compounds The present invention further relates to the use of this receptor in assays for identifying ligands that modulate the activation of this taste receptor. These compounds may be used as additives and/or removed from foods, beverages and medicinals in order to modify (block) T2R-associated bitter taste. A preferred embodiment is the use of the identified compounds as additives in foods, beverages and medicinals for blocking bitter taste.

Abstract: The invention identifies nucleic acid and amino acid sequences of sensory specific G-protein beta subunits that are specifically expressed in sensory cells, antibodies to such subunits, methods of detecting such nucleic acids and proteins, and methods of screening for modulators of sensory cell specific beta subunits.

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: Screening assays, preferably high throughput, are provided that screen libraries of candidate compounds to identify agonists, antagonists, enhancers or modulators of taste receptors (bitter, sweet or savory (umami) taste receptor) using test cells that co-express at least one functional taste receptor and an olfactory cyclic nucleotide-gated channel (oCNGC). (The oCNGC preferably comprises at least one mutation in one or more subunits that renders the resultant oCNGC more sensitive to CAMP (which in turn enhances the sensitivity of assay using this oCNGC). These taste modulatory compounds are identified based on their effect on oCNGC activity, e.g., using fluorimetric assays that screen for changes in intracellular calcium or sodium concentration in test cells that co-express at least one taste receptor, oCNGC and a G?i/o protein.

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.