Differential Activation of May Recover Ability to Taste Propylthiouracil for Some AVI Homozygotes.

Bitterness from phenylthiocarbamide and 6-n-propylthiouracil (PROP) varies with polymorphisms in the gene. Three SNPs form two common (AVI, PAV) and four rare haplotypes (AAI, AAV, PVI, and PAI). AVI homozygotes exhibit higher detection thresholds and lower suprathreshold bitterness for PROP compared to PAV homozygotes and heterozygotes, and these differences may influence alcohol and vegetable intake.

LRBA, a BEACH protein mutated in human immune deficiency, is widely expressed in epithelia, exocrine and endocrine glands, and neurons.

Mutations in LRBA, a BEACH domain protein, cause severe immune deficiency in humans. LRBA is expressed in many tissues and organs according to biochemical analysis, but little is known about its cellular and subcellular localization, and its deficiency phenotype outside the immune system. By LacZ histochemistry of Lrba gene-trap mice, we performed a comprehensive survey of LRBA expression in numerous tissues, detecting it in many if not all epithelia, in exocrine and endocrine cells, and in subpopulations of neurons.

Comprehensive structure-activity-relationship studies of sensory active compounds in licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra).

Licorice saponins, the main constituents of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. roots, are highly appreciated by the consumer for their pleasant sweet and long lasting licorice taste. The objective of the present study was to understand the molecular features that contribute to bitter, sweet and licorice sensation of licorice roots, and whether individual compounds elicit more than one of these sensations.

Sensory-Guided Multidimensional Exploration of Antisweet Principles from (Retz) Schult.

We report on activity-guided investigation of the key antisweet principles of . Orosensory-guided fractionation by means of solid phase extraction, preparative 2D-LC, and semipreparative HPLC followed by accurate MS and 1D/2D NMR experiments revealed six known and three previously unknown gymnemic acids as the key constituents of seven highly sensory-active fractions. Localized via a modified comparative taste dilution analysis (cTDA) and taste modulation probability (TMP) based screening techniques, a strong intrinsic bitterness was also observed for gymnemic acids.

At the Root of T2R Gene Evolution: Recognition Profiles of Coelacanth and Zebrafish Bitter Receptors.

The careful evaluation of food is important for survival throughout the animal kingdom, and specialized chemoreceptors have evolved to recognize nutrients, minerals, acids, and many toxins. Vertebrate bitter taste, mediated by the taste receptor type 2 (T2R) family, warns against potentially toxic compounds. During evolution T2R receptors appear first in bony fish, but the functional properties of bony fish T2R receptors are mostly unknown.