The sweet taste of true synergy: positive allosteric modulation of the human sweet taste receptor

• Published in: Trends in pharmacological sciences (Regular ed.) 2011-11, Vol.32 (11), p.631-636
• Main Authors: Servant, Guy, Tachdjian, Catherine, Li, Xiaodong, Karanewsky, Donald S
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Advanced Basic Science; Allosteric Regulation - drug effects; Allosteric Site - physiology; Carbohydrates - physiology; Energy Intake - physiology; Humans; Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled - metabolism; Sweetening Agents - chemistry; Sweetening Agents - metabolism; Taste - physiology; Taste Buds; Taste Perception - physiology
• ISSN: 0165-6147; 1873-3735
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2011.06.007

A diet low in carbohydrates helps to reduce the amount of ingested calories and to maintain a healthy weight. With this in mind, food and beverage companies have reformulated a large number of their products, replacing sugar or high fructose corn syrup with several different types of zero-calorie sweeteners to decrease or even totally eliminate their caloric content. A challenge remains, however, with the level of acceptance of some of these products in the market-place. Many consumers believe that zero-calorie sweeteners simply do not taste like sugar. A recent breakthrough reveals that positive allosteric modulators of the human sweet taste receptor, small molecules that enhance the receptor activity and sweetness perception, could be more effective than other reported taste enhancers at reducing calories in consumer products without compromising on the true taste of sugar. A unique mechanism of action at the receptor level could explain the robust synergy achieved with these new modulators.