Taste receptor type 1 member 2 and Taste receptor type 1 member 3 heterodimer (TAS1R2/TAS1R3)

The TAS1R2/TAS1R3 Sweet Taste Receptor is a heterodimeric G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) that serves as the primary sensor for sweet-tasting molecules, including sugars, polyols, and high-intensity sweeteners (UniProt: P59768, Q7RTX0). Beyond its well-known role in the oral cavity for taste perception, this receptor is expressed in various extra-oral tissues, including the gut, pancreas, and hypothalamus, where it acts as a nutrient sensor (PubMed: 21414488). In the gastrointestinal tract, activation of TAS1R2/TAS1R3 by luminal glucose triggers the release of incretin hormones such as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), which modulates insulin secretion and gastric emptying (PubMed: 17709750). Because of its central role in glucose homeostasis and energy balance, the receptor is a significant focus in research regarding obesity and type 2 diabetes (PubMed: 28533247). Pharmacological agents interacting with this receptor include a wide range of commercial sweeteners as agonists and compounds like lactisole or gymnemic acids as antagonists (PubChem: CID 109557). Understanding the systemic effects of TAS1R2/TAS1R3 activation is essential for evaluating the metabolic impact of non-nutritive sweeteners and developing novel therapeutic strategies for metabolic syndrome. The receptor's ability to detect diverse chemical structures makes it a unique target for both food science and metabolic pharmacology.

Other names

T1R2/T1R3Sweet taste receptorTAS1R2-TAS1R3 complexG protein-coupled receptor 70/71T1R2+3

The receptor functions as a heterodimer that, upon binding sweet ligands, activates a G protein signaling cascade involving G-alpha-gustducin or G-alpha-q, leading to the activation of phospholipase C beta 2 (PLC-beta-2) and the opening of TRPM5 ion channels, resulting in cell depolarization and neurotransmitter or hormone release (PubMed: 11830529).