Improvement of the taste measurement techniques using taste receptor-expressing cells and characterization of natural compounds contributing to the taste enhancer/suppressor

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19H02907
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 38050:Food sciences-related
• Research Institution: The University of Tokyo
• Principal Investigator: Misaka Takumi 東京大学, 大学院農学生命科学研究科(農学部), 准教授 (40373196)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 嗜好性 / 味覚受容体 / 活性調節 / 阻害剤

Outline of Final Research Achievements

To improve the taste measurement technique using taste receptor-expressing cells, we modified the receptor expression constructs for hT1R2/hT1R3, and searched for conditions under which the response to taste substances could be improved. As a result, we succeeded in generating a stable cell line of the human sweet taste receptor with higher responsiveness than the existing cell lines.
In addition, in the search for conditions that regulate the receptor activity, we found that ibuprofen, an anti-inflammatory drug, acts as a potent inhibitor of the human sweet taste receptor, and that the activity of the human bitter taste receptor (TAS2R46), which recognizes the bitter taste substance of lettuce, is suppressed by the addition of acidic substances.

Free Research Field

食品科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

嗜好性に関与する味覚受容体の活性を調節する物質/条件の発見は、食品の味のデザインに新たな方向性を示すことにつながっていく。今回、クエン酸を用いてpHを低下させることで、ヒト苦味受容体の1種について活性を抑制することができた。クエン酸は食品中に含有されるとともに、食品添加物としても使用することができる物質である。今回得られた知見は、基礎研究の成果から「おいしく食べる」方法論を提案することへとつながる成果であると考えられる。