Author:

Keywords:

Science & Technology, Life Sciences & Biomedicine, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Endocrinology & Metabolism, Pharmacology & Pharmacy, Obesity, Bitter, Taste receptors, Gut hormones, GLUCAGON-LIKE PEPTIDE-1, CHEMOSENSORY CELLS, GENETIC-VARIATIONS, GASTRIC-MOTILITY, GHRELIN, EXPRESSION, SECRETION, SENSITIVITY, REVEALS, ACTIVATION, 0304 Medicinal and Biomolecular Chemistry, 0606 Physiology, 1115 Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 3101 Biochemistry and cell biology, 3202 Clinical sciences, 3404 Medicinal and biomolecular chemistry

Abstract:

Taste perception on the tongue is essential to help us to identify nutritious or potential toxic food substances. Emerging evidence has demonstrated the expression and function of bitter taste receptors (TAS2Rs) in a wide range of extra-oral tissues. In particular, TAS2Rs in gastrointestinal enteroendocrine cells control the secretion of appetite regulating gut hormones and influence hunger and food intake. Furthermore, these effects may be reinforced by the presence of TAS2Rs on intestinal smooth muscle cells, adipocytes and the brain. This review summarises how activation of extra-oral TAS2Rs can influence appetite and body weight control and how obesity impacts the expression and function of TAS2Rs. Region-selective targeting of bitter taste receptors may be promising targets for the treatment of obesity.