Gustation genetics: Sweet gustducin!

Abstract

Two recent studies, the second of which is reported herein, provide evidence that genetic variation in the sweet receptor subunit, TAS1R3, and the second messenger, gustducin (GNAT3), affect the ability of people to correctly sort ascending concentrations of sucrose. These findings raise questions about how variation in the TAS1R3 and GNAT3 gene shape the human sweet tooth and its unwelcome consequences, diabetes and obesity. © The Author 2010. The Author 2010. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.