bitter taste receptor activity

Definition

Target type: molecularfunction

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

Bitter taste receptor activity is a molecular function that describes the ability of a protein to bind and respond to bitter-tasting molecules. These receptors are found on the surface of taste receptor cells, specifically Type II taste receptor cells, located within taste buds on the tongue. They belong to the G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) superfamily, a large group of transmembrane receptors involved in a wide range of cellular signaling processes. Bitter taste receptors are responsible for detecting a diverse range of bitter compounds, which can include alkaloids, glycosides, and other molecules that are often associated with toxicity. When a bitter compound binds to a taste receptor, it initiates a signaling cascade that ultimately leads to the perception of bitterness. This process involves the activation of a G protein called gustducin, which in turn activates phospholipase C (PLC). PLC hydrolyzes phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) into inositol trisphosphate (IP3) and diacylglycerol (DAG). IP3 increases intracellular calcium levels, while DAG activates protein kinase C (PKC). These signaling events ultimately lead to the depolarization of the taste receptor cell and the transmission of a signal to the brain, resulting in the perception of bitterness. The molecular function of bitter taste receptor activity is therefore crucial for the detection and avoidance of potentially harmful substances, playing a key role in protecting organisms from ingesting toxins.'
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Proteins (25)

Compounds (34)