Lu Ping, Zhang Cheng-Hai, Lifshitz Lawrence M, ZhuGe Ronghua
Department of Microbiology and Physiological Systems, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605.
Biomedical Imaging Group, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605.
J Gen Physiol. 2017 Feb;149(2):181-197. doi: 10.1085/jgp.201611637. Epub 2017 Jan 4.
Bitter taste receptors (TAS2Rs or T2Rs) belong to the superfamily of seven-transmembrane G protein-coupled receptors, which are the targets of >50% of drugs currently on the market. Canonically, T2Rs are located in taste buds of the tongue, where they initiate bitter taste perception. However, accumulating evidence indicates that T2Rs are widely expressed throughout the body and mediate diverse nontasting roles through various specialized mechanisms. It has also become apparent that T2Rs and their polymorphisms are associated with human disorders. In this review, we summarize the physiological and pathophysiological roles that extraoral T2Rs play in processes as diverse as innate immunity and reproduction, and the major challenges in this emerging field.
苦味受体（TAS2Rs或T2Rs）属于七跨膜G蛋白偶联受体超家族，目前市场上超过50%的药物都以其为靶点。传统上，T2Rs位于舌头上的味蕾中，在那里引发苦味感知。然而，越来越多的证据表明，T2Rs在全身广泛表达，并通过各种特殊机制介导多种非味觉功能。同样明显的是，T2Rs及其多态性与人类疾病有关。在这篇综述中，我们总结了口腔外T2Rs在先天免疫和生殖等不同过程中发挥的生理和病理生理作用，以及这个新兴领域的主要挑战。
