NOVEL HAPLOTYPE OF HUMAN T2R RECEPTOR HT2R50 AND ITS USE IN ASSAYS FOR IDENTIFYING HUMAN BITTER TASTE MODULATORS

摘要

The present invention relates to the discovery of a novel haplotype of the human taste receptor hT2R50 in the T2R taste receptor family that responds to particular bitter ligands, i.e., 2-acetylpyrazine and ethylpyrazine. The present invention also relates to the use of this novel haplotype in assays for identifying ligands that modulate the activation of the hT2R50 taste receptor. These compounds potentially may be used as additives in foods, beverages and medicinals for modifying (blocking) hT2R50-associated bitter taste.