Genetics of Human Taste Perception

Genetic approaches are rapidly yielding new information about our sense of taste. This information comes from both molecular studies of genes encoding taste receptors and other taste-signaling components, and from studies of inherited variation in taste abilities. Our understanding of bitter taste h...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of dental research 2004-06, Vol.83 (6), p.448-453
Main Authors: Kim, U.-K., Breslin, P.A.S., Reed, D., Drayna, D.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Dentistry
Genetics
Humans
Phenotype
Taste - genetics
Taste Buds - physiology
Taste Disorders - genetics
Taste Threshold - physiology
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Genetic approaches are rapidly yielding new information about our sense of taste. This information comes from both molecular studies of genes encoding taste receptors and other taste-signaling components, and from studies of inherited variation in taste abilities. Our understanding of bitter taste has advanced by combined information from discovery and study of the TAS2R family of taste receptor genes, hand in hand with genetic linkage and positional cloning studies, notably on the ability to taste phenylthiocarbamide (PTC). Sweet and umami tastes, mediated by TAS1R receptors, are becoming well-characterized at the molecular genetic level, and these taste classes are now targets for linkage, positional cloning, and genetic association strategies. Salty and sour tastes are still poorly characterized in genetic terms, and represent opportunities for the future.
ISSN:0022-0345
1544-0591
DOI:10.1177/154405910408300603