Taste receptor type 2 member 40 (TAS2R40)

Taste receptor type 2 member 40 (TAS2R40) is a seven-transmembrane G protein-coupled receptor predominantly expressed in taste receptor cells of the tongue and palate epithelia, where it functions as a bitter taste receptor by detecting diverse bitter substances. It transduces signals via gustducin and other intracellular messengers, ultimately leading to the perception of bitterness and mediating aversive responses to potential toxins in foods. TAS2R40 belongs to a gene family with extensive polymorphism that modulates individual taste perception and may contribute to extraoral functions, such as gut hormone regulation. Its decreased expression is linked to reduced taste sensitivity (hypogeusia), and genetic variants may have population-specific physiological effects[1][2][4][5][6].

Other names

GPR60T2R40T2R58taste receptor type 2 member 40taste receptor type 2 member 58G-protein-coupled receptor 60

Activation by bitter compounds leading to G protein-coupled signal transduction, involving gustducin, activation of PLCβ2, IP3 signaling, calcium influx, TRPM5 channel activation, and neural signaling of bitter taste[1][4].