Model Taste Cells and Methods of Use for Identifying Modulators of Taste Sensation

摘要

The present invention provides model taste cells that naturally or recombinantly express taste receptors and relevant cellular proteins and/or molecules useful for taste signal transduction. The present invention further provides methods of use for these model taste cells for screening for compounds that modulate sweet and/or other taste signal transduction. Compositions comprising the compounds/modulators identified using the model taste cells are also provided. In preferred embodiments, the model taste cells are derived from human HuTu-80 enteroendocrine cells, and derivative cells thereof.