Functional assays that use the T1R1 receptor to screen for T1R1-associated taste modulators

摘要

Functional assays that use the T1R1 receptor to screen for taste modulatory compounds are provided. These assays include cell-based assays and high throughput compound assays to identify compounds that activate T1R1 or modulate T1R1 receptor activation by compound. Preferred functional assays detect the effect of a putative taste modulatory compound on cell voltage or intracellular calcium in a cell that expresses a T1R1 polypetide, preferably in association with a G protein, e.g. G{acute over (alpha)}15. Compounds identified using these assays have potential application as flavor enhancer and modulators in foods and beverage for human or animal consumption.