Taste Receptor (味觉受体)

Taste receptors, part of the G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) family, mediate sweet, umami, and bitter tastes. They are categorized into two families: TAS1R (T1R1, T1R2, T1R3) and TAS2R (25 human isoforms). TAS1Rs function as heterodimers: TAS1R1/TAS1R3 detects umami (L-amino acids), while TAS1R2/TAS1R3 senses sweet compounds (e.g., sucrose). TAS2Rs bind diverse bitter ligands, initiating signaling through Gα-mediated cAMP reduction and Gβγ-dependent phospholipase C (PLC) activation, leading to calcium release. Taste receptors have also been investigated in several cancers including gastrointestinal, pancreatic, breast, thyroid, acute myeloid leukemia, and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma^[1].