Detection of cells expressing T1R2 taste receptor
View Patent ↗Binding assays for identifying compounds that modulate human T1R2 polypeptide associated taste are disclosed. These assays detect the specific binding of compounds to a human T1R2 polypeptide or the modulation of the specific binding of a compound that specifically binds to a human T1R2 polypeptide. The binding assays may include the use of detectable labels, e.g., radionuclides, enzymes, fluorophases, and the like. Compounds identified in these binding assays have putative application as T1R2 taste modulators, particularly sweet taste, and potentially are useful additives in compositions for human or animal consumption.
1. A method of detecting cells potentially sensitive to sweet tastants comprising screening a one or more cells with a probe that detects the expression of a gene encoding a taste receptor polypeptide which is at least 90% identical to a polypeptide having the sequence in SEQ ID NO 21; and (ii) identifying the cell as one potentially sensitive to sweet tastants if it expresses said taste receptor polypeptide.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the probe is an antibody that binds to a human taste receptor polypeptide having the sequence in SEQ ID NO:21.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the probe is a nucleic acid that detects an mRNA or cDNA encoding a taste receptor polypeptide which is at least 90% identical to a polypeptide having the sequence in SEQ ID NO 21.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the probe is a fragment of the nucleic acid in SEQ ID NO:23.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more cells are mammalian cells.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more cells are human cells.
7. the method of claim 1 , wherein the probe comprises a detectable label.
8. the method of claim 7 , wherein the detectable label is a radionuclide, enzyme or fluorophore.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the detected cells are contacted with a sweet tastant.