JOURNAL ARTICLE

Effects of the genetic polymorphisms of TAS2R43 and TAS2R46 on receptors' function and on perceived bitterness of caffeine by human subjects.

  • Published In: Chemical Senses, 2025, v. 50. P. 1 1 of 3

  • Database: Academic Search Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Numabe, Rena; Rainish, Alon; Niv, Masha Y; Imai, Hiroo 3 of 3

Abstract

This article investigates how single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the bitter taste receptors TAS2R43 and TAS2R46 affect receptor structure, cellular function, and human sensitivity to caffeine bitterness. Functional assays demonstrated that ancestral haplotypes of TAS2R43 (W35/H212) and TAS2R46 (L228) exhibit higher cell surface expression and stronger responses to caffeine compared to derived haplotypes, which are less stable and less expressed. Psychophysical testing revealed that individuals homozygous for the ancestral TAS2R43 haplotype have significantly lower caffeine bitterness perception thresholds than those with derived haplotypes, while TAS2R46 genotypes showed less impact. The distribution of these haplotypes varies among populations, suggesting a link between TAS2R genetic variation, bitter taste sensitivity, and human evolutionary history related to dietary adaptation.

Additional Information

  • Source:Chemical Senses. 2025/01, Vol. 50, p1
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Health and Medicine
  • Publication Date:2025
  • ISSN:0379-864X
  • DOI:10.1093/chemse/bjaf027
  • Accession Number:192513317
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