Page last updated: 2024-10-24

taste receptor activity

Definition

Target type: molecularfunction

Combining with soluble compounds to initiate a change in cell activity. These receptors are responsible for the sense of taste. [GOC:dph]

Taste receptor activity is a molecular function that involves the detection and transduction of taste stimuli. Taste receptors are specialized cells located in taste buds, which are sensory organs found on the tongue, palate, and pharynx. These receptors are responsible for detecting five basic tastes: sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami.

When a taste molecule binds to a taste receptor, it initiates a signaling cascade that ultimately leads to the generation of a nerve impulse. This impulse is transmitted to the brain, where it is interpreted as a specific taste.

The molecular mechanisms underlying taste receptor activity vary depending on the type of taste receptor. For example, sweet and umami taste receptors are G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), while bitter taste receptors are members of the T2R family of GPCRs. Sour and salty taste receptors are thought to be ion channels.

The following are some key features of taste receptor activity:

* **Specificity:** Taste receptors are highly specific for particular taste molecules. For example, sweet receptors are primarily activated by sugars, while bitter receptors are activated by a wide range of compounds, many of which are toxic.
* **Sensitivity:** Taste receptors are extremely sensitive, able to detect even very low concentrations of taste molecules.
* **Adaptation:** Taste receptors can adapt to prolonged exposure to a particular taste, meaning that their sensitivity to that taste decreases over time. This allows us to distinguish between different tastes and to adjust our food intake based on the taste of the food.

Taste receptor activity is essential for our ability to taste food and drink. It plays a critical role in our food preferences, our ability to distinguish between different foods, and our ability to avoid potentially harmful substances. Taste receptor activity also contributes to our overall sense of well-being and our ability to enjoy food.'
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Proteins (17)

ProteinDefinitionTaxonomy
Free fatty acid receptor 4A free fatty acid receptor 4 that is encoded in the genome of human. [PRO:WCB, UniProtKB:Q5NUL3]Homo sapiens (human)
Taste receptor type 2 member 1A taste receptor type 2 member 1/119 that is encoded in the genome of human. [PRO:DNx, UniProtKB:Q9NYW7]Homo sapiens (human)
Taste receptor type 2 member 3A taste receptor type 2 member 3 that is encoded in the genome of human. [PRO:DNx, UniProtKB:Q9NYW6]Homo sapiens (human)
Taste receptor type 2 member 4A taste receptor type 2 member 4 that is encoded in the genome of human. [PRO:DNx, UniProtKB:Q9NYW5]Homo sapiens (human)
Taste receptor type 2 member 5A taste receptor type 2 member 5 that is encoded in the genome of human. [PRO:DNx, UniProtKB:Q9NYW4]Homo sapiens (human)
Taste receptor type 2 member 7A taste receptor type 2 member 7 that is encoded in the genome of human. [PRO:DNx, UniProtKB:Q9NYW3]Homo sapiens (human)
Taste receptor type 2 member 8A taste receptor type 2 member 8 that is encoded in the genome of human. [PRO:DNx, UniProtKB:Q9NYW2]Homo sapiens (human)
Taste receptor type 2 member 9A taste receptor type 2 member 9 that is encoded in the genome of human. [PRO:DNx, UniProtKB:Q9NYW1]Homo sapiens (human)
Taste receptor type 2 member 10A taste receptor type 2 member 10 that is encoded in the genome of human. [PRO:DNx, UniProtKB:Q9NYW0]Homo sapiens (human)
Taste receptor type 2 member 13A taste receptor type 2 member 13 that is encoded in the genome of human. [PRO:DNx, UniProtKB:Q9NYV9]Homo sapiens (human)
Taste receptor type 2 member 14A taste receptor type 2 member 14 that is encoded in the genome of human. [PRO:DNx, UniProtKB:Q9NYV8]Homo sapiens (human)
Taste receptor type 1 member 2A taste receptor type 1 member 2 that is encoded in the genome of human. [PRO:DNx, UniProtKB:Q8TE23]Homo sapiens (human)
Taste receptor type 1 member 2A taste receptor type 1 member 2 that is encoded in the genome of human. [PRO:DNx, UniProtKB:Q8TE23]Homo sapiens (human)
Taste receptor type 1 member 1A taste receptor type 1 member 1 that is encoded in the genome of human. [PRO:DNx, UniProtKB:Q7RTX1]Homo sapiens (human)
Taste receptor type 1 member 3A taste receptor type 1 member 3 that is encoded in the genome of human. [PRO:DNx, UniProtKB:Q7RTX0]Homo sapiens (human)
Taste receptor type 1 member 3A taste receptor type 1 member 3 that is encoded in the genome of human. [PRO:DNx, UniProtKB:Q7RTX0]Homo sapiens (human)
Taste receptor type 2 member 43A taste receptor type 2 member 43 that is encoded in the genome of human. [PRO:DNx, UniProtKB:P59537]Homo sapiens (human)

Compounds (20)

CompoundDefinitionClassesRoles
isoproterenolisoprenaline : A secondary amino compound that is noradrenaline in which one of the hydrogens attached to the nitrogen is replaced by an isopropyl group. A sympathomimetic acting almost exclusively on beta-adrenergic receptors, it is used (mainly as the hydrochloride salt) as a bronghodilator and heart stimulant for the management of a variety of cardiac disorders.

Isoproterenol: Isopropyl analog of EPINEPHRINE; beta-sympathomimetic that acts on the heart, bronchi, skeletal muscle, alimentary tract, etc. It is used mainly as bronchodilator and heart stimulant.
catechols;
secondary alcohol;
secondary amino compound
beta-adrenergic agonist;
bronchodilator agent;
cardiotonic drug;
sympathomimetic agent
lauric aciddodecanoic acid : A straight-chain, twelve-carbon medium-chain saturated fatty acid with strong bactericidal properties; the main fatty acid in coconut oil and palm kernel oil.medium-chain fatty acid;
straight-chain saturated fatty acid
algal metabolite;
antibacterial agent;
plant metabolite
potassium chloridepotassium chloride : A metal chloride salt with a K(+) counterion.

Potassium Chloride: A white crystal or crystalline powder used in BUFFERS; FERTILIZERS; and EXPLOSIVES. It can be used to replenish ELECTROLYTES and restore WATER-ELECTROLYTE BALANCE in treating HYPOKALEMIA.
inorganic chloride;
inorganic potassium salt;
potassium salt
fertilizer
tyrosinetyrosine : An alpha-amino acid that is phenylalanine bearing a hydroxy substituent at position 4 on the phenyl ring.

Tyrosine: A non-essential amino acid. In animals it is synthesized from PHENYLALANINE. It is also the precursor of EPINEPHRINE; THYROID HORMONES; and melanin.
amino acid zwitterion;
erythrose 4-phosphate/phosphoenolpyruvate family amino acid;
L-alpha-amino acid;
proteinogenic amino acid;
tyrosine
EC 1.3.1.43 (arogenate dehydrogenase) inhibitor;
fundamental metabolite;
micronutrient;
nutraceutical
12-hydroxy stearic acid12-hydroxy stearic acid: structure in first source

12-hydroxyoctadecanoic acid : A hydroxy fatty acid that is stearic acid bearing a hydroxy substituent at position 12.
hydroxyoctadecanoic acid;
secondary alcohol
bacterial xenobiotic metabolite;
plant metabolite
16-hydroxypalmitic acid16-hydroxyhexadecanoic acid : An omega-hydroxy-long-chain fatty acid that is hexadecanoic acid (also known as palmitic acid) which is substituted at position 16 by a hydroxy group. It is a key monomer of cutin in the plant cuticle.hydroxypalmitic acid;
omega-hydroxy-long-chain fatty acid
plant metabolite
denatonium benzoate
trichlorosucrosesucralose : A disaccharide derivative consisting of 4-chloro-4-deoxy-alpha-D-galactopyranose and 1,6-dichloro-1,6-dideoxy-beta-D-fructofuranose units linked by a glycosidic bond.

trichlorosucrose: sweetness intensity roughly 600 times that of sucrose and is nonnutritive and noncaloric; largely unabsorbed in the gastrointestinal tract
disaccharide derivative;
organochlorine compound
environmental contaminant;
sweetening agent;
xenobiotic
12-hydroxydodecanoic acid12-hydroxylauric acid : A medium-chain fatty acid that is the 12-hydroxylated derivative of lauric acid.omega-hydroxy-medium-chain fatty acidhuman metabolite
3-hydroxydodecanoic acid3-hydroxydodecanoic acid: RN given refers to cpd without isomeric designation

3-hydroxylauric acid : A medium-chain fatty acid that is the 3-hydroxylated derivative of lauric acid; associated with fatty acid metabolic disorders.
3-hydroxy fatty acid;
medium-chain fatty acid
strychninestrychnine : A monoterpenoid indole alkaloid that is strychnidine bearing a keto substituent at the 10-position.

Strychnine: An alkaloid found in the seeds of STRYCHNOS NUX-VOMICA. It is a competitive antagonist at glycine receptors and thus a convulsant. It has been used as an analeptic, in the treatment of nonketotic hyperglycinemia and sleep apnea, and as a rat poison.
monoterpenoid indole alkaloid;
organic heteroheptacyclic compound
avicide;
cholinergic antagonist;
glycine receptor antagonist;
neurotransmitter agent;
rodenticide
brucinebrucine: was heading 1991-94 (see under STRYCHNINE 1975-90); DIMETHOXYSTRYCHNINE was see BRUCINE 1975-94; use STRYCHNINE to search BRUCINE 1975-94; very toxic alkaloid from Nux vomica similar to strychnine; used as reagent in analytical chemistry; was MH 1991-94monoterpenoid indole alkaloid;
organic heteroheptacyclic compound
ricinoleic acidricinoleic acid : A (9Z)-12-hydroxyoctadec-9-enoic acid in which the 12-hydroxy group has R-configuration..

ricinoleic acid: RN given refers to (R-(Z))-isomer; structure in Merck Index, 9th ed, #8005
(9Z)-12-hydroxyoctadec-9-enoic acid
linoleic acidlinoleic acid : An octadecadienoic acid in which the two double bonds are at positions 9 and 12 and have Z (cis) stereochemistry.

Linoleic Acid: A doubly unsaturated fatty acid, occurring widely in plant glycosides. It is an essential fatty acid in mammalian nutrition and is used in the biosynthesis of prostaglandins and cell membranes. (From Stedman, 26th ed)
octadecadienoic acid;
omega-6 fatty acid
algal metabolite;
Daphnia galeata metabolite;
plant metabolite
alpha-linolenic acidlinolenate : A polyunsaturated fatty acid anion obtained by deprotonation of the carboxy group of either alpha- or gamma-linolenic acid.

linolenic acid : A two-membered subclass of octadecatrienoic acid comprising the (9Z,12Z,15Z)- and (6Z,9Z,12Z)-isomers. Linolenic acids are nutrients essential to the formation of prostaglandins and are also used in making paints and synthetic resins.
linolenic acid;
omega-3 fatty acid
micronutrient;
mouse metabolite;
nutraceutical
gw9508GW9508: structure in first sourcearomatic amine
lactisolelactisole: structure in first source
tak-875biphenyls
tug-469TUG-469: a GPR40 agonist with antidiabetic activity; structure in first source
tug-891GPU-028: structure in first source