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 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 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: Methods for screening compounds that modulate umami taste signaling in taste cells are provided. These methods comprise contacting a compound with hetero-oligomeric taste transduction G-protein coupled receptors that respond to umami taste stimuli, and determining whether the compound binds to and/or affects the activity of the hetero-oligomeric umami receptor.

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 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: Heteromeric taste receptors are provided. These receptors comprise a first polypeptide containing extracellular domains and transmembrane domains wherein the extracellular domains are at least 95% identical to the extracellular domains of specific T1R2 polypeptides and the transmembrane domains are at least 95% identical to the corresponding transmembrane domains of the specific T1R2 polypeptide or a different GPCR; and a second polypeptide comprising extracellular and transmembrane domains wherein the extracellular domains are at least 95% identical to the extracellular domains of specific T1R3 polypeptides and the transmembrane domains are at least 95% identical to the corresponding transmembrane domains of the specific T1R3 polypeptide or a different GPCR.

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: Binding assays for identifying compounds that modulate human T1R2 polypeptide associated taste are disclosed. These assays detect the specific binding of compounds to a human T1R2 polypeptide or the modulation of the specific binding of a compound that specifically binds to a human T1R2 polypeptide. The binding assays may include the use of detectable labels, e.g., radionuclides, enzymes, fluorophases, and the like. Compounds identified in these binding assays have putative application as T1R2 taste modulators, particularly sweet taste, and potentially are useful additives in compositions for human or animal consumption.

Abstract: Methods of inhibiting umami taste receptors are provided. These methods comprise contacting T1R1/T1R3 umami taste receptors with a sweet-taste inhibitor that also inhibits both the T1R1/T1R3 umami taste receptor and the T1R2/T1R3 sweet taste receptor.

Abstract: The claimed invention relates to the discovery of a specific human taste receptor in the T2R taste receptor family, hT2R61 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: Heteromeric taste receptors are provided. These receptors comprise a first polypeptide containing extracellular domains and transmembrane domains wherein the extracellular domains are at least 95% identical to the extracellular domains of specific T1R1 polypeptides and the transmembrane domains are at least 95% identical to the corresponding transmembrane domains of the specific T1R1 polypeptide or a different GPCR; and a second polypeptide comprising extracellular and transmembrane domains wherein the extracellular domains are at least 95% identical to the extracellular domains of specific T1R3 polypeptides and the transmembrane domains are at least 95% identical to the corresponding transmembrane domains of the specific T1R3 polypeptide or a different GPCR.

Abstract: Functional assays that detect the effect of a particular compound or compounds on the activation of at least one human T2R polypeptide are provided. These assays include e.g., assays which detect the effect of said compound on intracellular calcium, second messengers such as cAMP, cGMP, current e.g., by use of voltage-clamp or patch-clamp, techniques, fluorescence polarization or FRET assays, and the like. These assays are useful in identifying compounds that putatively elicit or modulate (inhibit or enhance) bitter taste in human subjects, e.g. bitter taste blockers. The effect of identified compounds on taste may be further evaluated in human or animal taste tests.

Abstract: Heteromeric taste receptors are provided. These receptors comprise a first polypeptide which comprises extracellular and transmembrane domains wherein the transmembrane domains are at least 95% identical to the transmembrane domains of specific T1R1 polypeptides, and the extracellular domains are at least 95% identical to the corresponding extracellular domains of the specific T1R1 polypeptide or a different GPCR; and a second polypeptide which comprises extracellular and transmembrane domains wherein the transmembrane domains are at least 95% identical to the transmembrane domains of specific T1R3 polypeptides, and the extracellular domains are at least 95% identical to the corresponding extracellular domains of the specific T1R3 polypeptide or that of a different GPCR.

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: Assays for identifying compounds that modulate, preferably inhibit bitter taste associated with the activation of hT2R4, hT2R44 and/or hT2R61 are provided. The compounds identified according to these assays should modulate, e.g., inhibit bitter taste associated with bitter tasting compounds including quinine, 6-nitrosaccharin, saccharin and/or denatonium. These compounds are useful additives for foods, beverages or medicinal preparations having a bitter taste.

Abstract: Methods of quantifying the taste of compounds for food and beverages are provided. These methods comprise contacting the compounds with an isolated heteromeric receptor comprising at least one T1R1 polypeptide and at least one T1R3 polypeptide.

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 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: Heteromeric taste receptors are provided. These receptors comprise a first polypeptide which comprises extracellular and transmembrane domains wherein the transmembrane domains are at least 95% identical to the transmembrane domains of specific T1R2 polypeptides, and the extracellular domains are at least 95% identical to the corresponding extracellular domains of the specific T1R2 polypeptide or a different GPCR; and a second polypeptide which comprises extracellular and transmembrane domains wherein the transmembrane domains are at least 95% identical to the transmembrane domains of specific T1R3 polypeptides, and the extracellular domains are at least 95% identical to the corresponding extracellular domains of the specific T1R3 polypeptide or that of a different GPCR.