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Perceptual variation in umami taste and polymorphisms in TAS1R taste receptor genes^1,2,3,4

¹ From the Monell Chemical Senses Center, Philadelphia, PA (Q-YC, SA, AT, OMA, NLE, and PASB); Integral Molecular Inc, Philadelphia, PA (TAG, JR); and the Department of Nutritional Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ (PASB).

² Presented at the "100th Anniversary Symposium of Umami Discovery: The Roles of Glutamate in Taste, Gastrointestinal Function, Metabolism, and Physiology," held in Tokyo, Japan, September 10–13, 2008.

³ Supported by NIH grants RO1DC02995 and P50DC06760.

⁴ Address correspondence to PAS Breslin, Monell Chemical Senses Center, 3500 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104. E-mail: breslin{at}monell.org.

Background: The TAS1R1 and TAS1R3 G protein–coupled receptors are believed to function in combination as a heteromeric glutamate taste receptor in humans.

Objective: We hypothesized that variations in the umami perception of glutamate would correlate with variations in the sequence of these 2 genes, if they contribute directly to umami taste.

Design: In this study, we first characterized the general sensitivity to glutamate in a sample population of 242 subjects. We performed these experiments by sequencing the coding regions of the genomic TAS1R1 and TAS1R3 genes in a separate set of 87 individuals who were tested repeatedly with monopotassium glutamate (MPG) solutions. Last, we tested the role of the candidate umami taste receptor hTAS1R1-hTAS1R3 in a functional expression assay.

Results: A subset of subjects displays extremes of sensitivity, and a battery of different psychophysical tests validated this observation. Statistical analysis showed that the rare T allele of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) R757C in TAS1R3 led to a doubling of umami ratings of 25 mmol MPG/L. Other suggestive SNPs of TAS1R3 include the A allele of A5T and the A allele of R247H, which both resulted in an approximate doubling of umami ratings of 200 mmol MPG/L. We confirmed the potential role of the human TAS1R1-TAS1R3 heteromer receptor in umami taste by recording responses, specifically to L-glutamate and inosine 5'-monophosphate (IMP) mixtures in a heterologous expression assay in HEK (human embryonic kidney) T cells.

Conclusions: There is a reliable and valid variation in human umami taste of L-glutamate. Variations in perception of umami taste correlated with variations in the human TAS1R3 gene. The putative human taste receptor TAS1R1-TAS1R3 responds specifically to L-glutamate mixed with the ribonucleotide IMP. Thus, this receptor likely contributes to human umami taste perception.

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