Human bitter taste perception

Abstract

In summary, the present data clearly show that all characterized TAS2Rs responded to bitter stimuli. They apparently are able to detect many compounds instead of only one. This broad tuning of TAS2Rs may therefore, at least in part, solve the problem of how few receptors mediate the perception of numerous bitter compounds. The increasing evidence thus suggests that TAS2Rs may be equated to bitter taste receptors. Whether bitter taste can be equated to TAS2Rs remains to be seen. © Oxford University Press 2005; all rights reserved.