T2R1

T2R1, also known as TAS2R1, is a human bitter taste receptor belonging to the TAS2R family. These receptors are G protein-coupled receptors that play a crucial role in detecting a wide variety of bitter compounds present in food and other substances. The TAS2R family is characterized by its large number of genes, with humans having 25 functional TAS2R genes. T2R1 is one of these bitter taste receptors.

The primary function of T2R1 is to bind to specific bitter molecules, initiating a signaling cascade within taste receptor cells. This cascade ultimately leads to the transmission of a nerve impulse to the brain, where it is perceived as a bitter taste. The specific ligands that activate T2R1 are diverse and can include compounds found in plants, such as certain alkaloids and glycosides.

Variations in the T2R1 gene can lead to differences in bitter taste perception among individuals. This genetic variability contributes to the wide range of preferences and aversions people have towards bitter-tasting foods. Understanding T2R1 and other TAS2R receptors is important for research in areas such as nutrition, food science, and the development of pharmaceuticals, as bitter compounds can sometimes have medicinal properties or be associated with toxins. The exact spectrum of compounds that T2R1 binds to is an ongoing area of research.