Abstract: The present invention relates to the discovery, identification and characterization of a transient receptor potential channel, referred to herein as TRP8, which is expressed in taste receptor cells and associated with the perception of bitter and sweet taste. The invention encompasses TRP8 nucleotides, host cell expression systems, TRP8 proteins, fusion proteins, polypeptides and peptides, antibodies to the TRP8 protein, transgenic animals that express a TRP8 transgene, and recombinant “knock-out” animals that do not express TRP8. The invention further relates to methods for identifying modulators of the TRP8-mediated taste response and the use of such modulators to either inhibit or promote the perception of bitterness or sweetness. The modulators of TRP8 activity may be used as flavor enhancers in foods, beverages and pharmaceuticals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the discovery, identification and characterization of a transient receptor potential channel, referred to herein as TRP8, which is expressed in taste receptor cells and associated with the perception of bitter and sweet taste. The invention encompasses TRP8 nucleotides, host cell expression systems, TRP8 proteins, fusion proteins, polypeptides and peptides, antibodies to the TRP8 protein, transgenic animals that express a TRP8 transgene, and recombinant “knock-out” animals that do not express TRP8. The invention further relates to methods for identifying modulators of the TRP8-mediated taste response and the use of such modulators to either inhibit or promote the perception of bitterness or sweetness. The modulators of TRP8 activity may be used as flavor enhancers in foods, beverages and pharmaceuticals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the discovery, identification and characterization of a transient receptor potential channel, referred to herein as TRP8, which is expressed in taste receptor cells and associated with the perception of bitter and sweet taste. The invention encompasses TRP8 nucleotides, host cell expression systems, TRP8 proteins, fusion proteins, polypeptides and peptides, antibodies to the TRP8 protein, transgenic animals that express a TRP8 transgene, and recombinant “knock-out” animals that do not express TRP8. The invention further relates to methods for identifying modulators of the TRP8-mediated taste response and the use of such modulators to either inhibit or promote the perception of bitterness or sweetness. The modulators of TRP8 activity may be used as flavor enhancers in foods, beverages and pharmaceuticals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the discovery, identification and characterization of a transient receptor potential channel, referred to herein as TRP8, which is expressed in taste receptor cells and associated with the perception of bitter and sweet taste. The invention encompasses TRP8 nucleotides, host cell expression systems, TRP8 proteins, fusion proteins, polypeptides and peptides, antibodies to the TRP8 protein, transgenic animals that express a TRP8 transgene, and recombinant “knock-out” animals that do not express TRP8. The invention further relates to methods for identifying modulators of the TRP8-mediated taste response and the use of such modulators to either inhibit or promote the perception of bitterness or sweetness. The modulators of TRP8 activity may be used as flavor enhancers in foods, beverages and pharmaceuticals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the discovery, identification and characterization of a transient receptor potential channel, referred to herein as TRP8, which is expressed in taste receptor cells and associated with the perception of bitter and sweet taste. The invention encompasses TRP8 nucleotides, host cell expression systems, TRP8 proteins, fusion proteins, polypeptides and peptides, antibodies to the TRP8 protein, transgenic animals that express a TRP8 transgene, and recombinant “knock-out” animals that do not express TRP8. The invention further relates to methods for identifying modulators of the TRP8-mediated taste response and the use of such modulators to either inhibit or promote the perception of bitterness or sweetness. The modulators of TRP8 activity may be used as flavor enhancers in foods, beverages and pharmaceuticals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the discovery, identification and characterization of a transient receptor potential channel, referred to herein as TRP8, which is expressed in taste receptor cells and associated with the perception of bitter and sweet taste. The invention encompasses TRP8 nucleotides, host cell expression systems, TRP8 proteins, fusion proteins, polypeptides and peptides, antibodies to the TRP8 protein, transgenic animals that express a TRP8 transgene, and recombinant “knock-out” animals that do not express TRP8. The invention further relates to methods for identifying modulators of the TRP8-mediated taste response and the use of such modulators to either inhibit or promote the perception of bitterness or sweetness. The modulators of TRP8 activity may be used as flavor enhancers in foods, beverages and pharmaceuticals.

Abstract: Gustducin is a taste receptor cell heterotrimeric guanine nucleotide binding protein. Disclosed herein is the amino acid sequence of the gamma (?) subunit of gustducin, as well as polynucleotide sequences encoding the ? subunit. Also disclosed are methods of modifying taste involving agents that inhibit or activate the gustducin ? subunit, methods for identifying such taste modifying agents and various taste modifying agents.

Abstract: Gustducin is a taste receptor cell heterotrimeric guanine nucleotide binding protein. Disclosed herein is the amino acid sequence of the gamma (&ggr;) subunit of gustducin, as well as polynucleotide sequences encoding the &ggr; subunit. Also disclosed are methods of modifying taste involving agents that inhibit or activate the gustducin &ggr; subunit, methods for identifying such taste modifying agents and various taste modifying agents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for identifying inhibitors of the bitter taste response, and by methods of using such inhibitors to either block the perception of bitterness and/or promote the perception of a sweet taste. The inhibitors of the invention may be used as flavor enhancers in foods and pharmaceuticals. The methods of the invention may further be used to characterize the gustatory perception of novel tastants.

Abstract: A novel taste cell specific guanine nucleotide binding protein, gustducin, is disclosed as well as polynucleotide sequences encoding the &agr; subunit of gustducin. Also disclosed are methods of modifying taste involving agents that inhibit or activate the gustducin &agr; subunit, methods for identifying such taste modifying agents and various taste modifying agents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the discovery, identification and characterization of a transient receptor potential channel, referred to herein as TRP8, which is expressed in taste receptor cells and associated with the perception of bitter and sweet taste. The invention encompasses TRP8 nucleotides, host cell expression systems, TRP8 proteins, fusion proteins, polypeptides and peptides, antibodies to the TRP8 protein, transgenic animals that express a TRP8 transgene, and recombinant “knock-out” animals that do not express TRP8. The invention further relates to methods for identifying modulators of the TRP8-mediated taste response and the use of such modulators to either inhibit or promote the perception of bitterness or sweetness. The modulators of TRP8 activity may be used as flavor enhancers in foods, beverages and pharmaceuticals.

Abstract: A novel taste cell specific guanine nucleotide binding protein, gustducin, is disclosed as well as polynucleotide sequences encoding the .alpha. subunit of gustducin. Also disclosed are methods of modifying taste involving agents that inhibit or activate the gustducin .alpha. subunit, methods for identifying such taste modifying agents and various taste modifying agents.

Abstract: A novel taste cell specific guanine nucleotide binding protein, gustducin, is disclosed as well as polynucleotide sequences encoding the .alpha. subunit of gustducin. Also disclosed are methods of modifying taste involving agents that inhibit or activate the gustducin .alpha. subunit, methods for identifying such taste modifying agents and various taste modifying agents.

Abstract: A novel taste cell specific guanine nucleotide binding protein, gustducin, is disclosed as well as polynucleotide sequences encoding the .alpha. subunit of gustducin. Also disclosed are methods of modifying taste involving agents that inhibit or activate the gustducin .alpha. subunit, methods for identifying such taste modifying agents and various taste modifying agents.

Abstract: Asymmetrically tailed plasmid primers are provided, each of which comprises a cut, double-stranded DNA plasmid containing a functional origin of replication, at least one functional selection marker gene, a 3' oligo (dT) tail and a 3' oligo (dC) or oligo (dG) tail which is terminated by a phosphate group. Methods for making and using the primers for the highly efficient production of complex cloning libraries and a kit for carrying out the cloning method of the invention are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for identifying inhibitors of the bitter taste response, and by methods of using such inhibitors to either block the perception of bitterness and/or promote the perception of a sweet taste. The inhibitors of the invention may be used as flavor enhancers in foods and pharmaceuticals. The methods of the invention may further be used to characterize the gustatory perception of novel tastants.