Abstract: Disclosed are materials and methods relevant to taste transduction. Also disclosed are human gastrointestinal cells that comprise or are capable expressing endogenous taste signaling proteins. Also disclosed are human gastrointestinal cells that comprise or are capable of expressing endogenous taste signaling proteins as well as hormones, neurotransmitters or soluble mediators of the gastrointestinal tract that are involved in or affect metabolism, digestion and appetite. Also disclosed are the uses of these human cells or their membranes to study how compounds affect taste transduction and/or metabolism, digestion and appetite, including effects on satiety, emesis and diabetes.