It has been proposed that taste sensitivity to bitter compounds such as, phenylthiocarbamide (PTC) and 6-n-propylthiouracil (PROP), represents a genetic marker for an increased vulnerability to depressive illness. Previous explorations of this idea have proven equivocal. This study refines and further explores this idea by focusing specifically on anhedonia (diminished hedonic capacity), a key ...

We employed the first principles computational method MembStruk and homology modeling techniques to predict the 3D structures of the human phenylthiocarbamide (PTC) taste receptor. This protein is a seven-transmembrane-domain G protein-coupled receptor that exists in two main forms worldwide, designated taster and nontaster, which differ from each other at three amino-acid positions. 3D models ...

The ability to taste the bitter compound phenylthiocarbamide (PTC) and related chemicals is bimodal, and all human populations tested to date contain some people who can and some people who cannot taste PTC. Why this trait has been maintained in the population is uncertain but this polymorphism may influence food selection, nutritional status or thyroid metabolism. The gene product that gives r...

The bitter taste receptor T2R38 has been shown to play a role in the pathogenesis of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), where the receptor functions to enhance upper respiratory innate immunity through a triad of beneficial immune responses. Individuals with a functional version of T2R38 are tasters for the bitter compound phenylthiocarbamide (PTC) and exhibit an anti-microbial response in the upper...

Humans' bitter taste perception is mediated by the hTAS2R subfamily of the G protein-coupled membrane receptors (GPCRs). Structural information on these receptors is currently limited. Here we identify residues involved in the binding of phenylthiocarbamide (PTC) and in receptor activation in one of the most widely studied hTAS2Rs (hTAS2R38) by means of structural bioinformatics and molecular d...

T2Rs (bitter taste-sensing type 2 receptors) are expressed in the oral cavity to prevent ingestion of dietary toxins through taste avoidance. They are also expressed in other cell types, including gut enteroendocrine cells, where their physiological role is enigmatic. Previously, we proposed that T2R-dependent CCK (cholecystokinin) secretion from enteroendocrine cells limits absorption of dieta...

Abstract Bitter taste perception has been studied in various species, including humans, using the synthetic compound phenylthiocarbamide (PTC). Human of PTC is linked to ability bitter foods. Sheep express varying levels aversion delivered drinking water. The objective this study was determine effects feed on dietary intake and behavior mature rams. We hypothesized that rams previously classifi...

We previously demonstrated the expression of bitter taste receptors of the type 2 family (T2R) and the alpha-subunits of the G protein gustducin (Galpha(gust)) in the rodent gastrointestinal (GI) tract and in GI endocrine cells. In this study, we characterized mechanisms of Ca(2+) fluxes induced by two distinct T2R ligands: denatonium benzoate (DB) and phenylthiocarbamide (PTC), in mouse entero...

Abstract Introduction Taste perception is affected by trigeminal stimuli, i.e., capsaicin. This has been studied at suprathreshold concentrations. However, little known about taste threshold level in the presence of low concentration The aim study was to explore whether sensitivity for sweet, sour, salt, bitter, and umami modulated capsaicin peri-threshold range. Methods Fifty-seven adults (age...