TAS2R38
TAS2R38 (taste 2 receptor member 38, also known as T2R61 and PTC) is a seven-transmembrane G protein-coupled receptor of the T2R family. It is linked to gustducin and is associated with the perception of bitterness. Browse Assay Genie's current range of TAS2R38 research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
TAS2R38 is a receptor that may play a role in the perception of bitterness and is gustducin-linked. Its activity may stimulate alpha gustducin, mediate PLC-beta-2 activation and lead to the gating of TRPM5. It may also play a role in sensing the chemical composition of the gastrointestinal content, which points to a function beyond the tongue.
The TAS2R38 gene encodes a seven-transmembrane G protein-coupled receptor that belongs to the T2R family and sits in the HGNC gene group of taste 2 receptors. The receptor controls the ability to taste glucosinolates, a family of bitter-tasting compounds found in plants of the Brassica genus. The synthetic compounds phenylthiocarbamide (PTC) and 6-n-propylthiouracil (PROP) have been identified as ligands, and both have been used to test the genetic diversity of the gene. Researchers working with the TAS2R38 protein often use these ligands for that reason. Mouse and rat carry an orthologous gene, Tas2r38.
Several allelic forms of the gene have been identified worldwide. Outside Africa, two forms predominate: taster and non-taster. They differ at three nucleotide positions, which give the amino acid changes A49P, A262V and V296I. The combination PAV identifies the taster variant and AVI identifies the non-taster variant. The previous gene name, phenylthiocarbamide tasting, and the alias PTC both reflect this history. Any TAS2R38 antibody or TAS2R38 ELISA kit used in a study should be matched to the experimental design, including the allelic form under investigation.
TAS2R38 is a gustducin-linked receptor that may contribute to the perception of bitterness, including responses to glucosinolates from Brassica plants.
Taster (PAV) and non-taster (AVI) alleles outside Africa make TAS2R38 a standard gene for studying genetic diversity in taste.
Receptor activity may stimulate alpha gustducin, mediate PLC-beta-2 activation and lead to gating of TRPM5, a pathway of interest in taste signalling.
TAS2R38 may help sense the chemical composition of gastrointestinal content, which makes it relevant to studies of chemosensory function beyond taste.
TAS2R38 is a gustducin-linked receptor that may play a role in the perception of bitterness. Its activity may stimulate alpha gustducin, mediate PLC-beta-2 activation and lead to TRPM5 gating. It may also help sense the chemical composition of gastrointestinal content.
TAS2R38 is also called taste receptor type 2 member 38, T2R61 and PTC. Earlier names include phenylthiocarbamide tasting and taste receptor, type 2, member 38. The PTC alias refers to phenylthiocarbamide, one of the synthetic ligands identified for the receptor.
Outside Africa, two common alleles exist. They differ at three positions, giving the changes A49P, A262V and V296I. The amino acid combination PAV identifies the taster variant and AVI the non-taster variant. Mouse and rat have an ortholog, Tas2r38; check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity.
Other taste receptors and chemosensory GPCR targets with products at Assay Genie.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt P59533; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.