Bitter taste receptors (T2Rs) are sentinels that coordinate metabolic and immunological defense responses

Caroline P. Harmon, Daiyong Deng, Paul AS Breslin

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

26 Scopus citations

Abstract

In addition to being responsible for bitter taste, type 2 taste receptors (T2Rs) regulate endocrine, behavioral, and immunological responses. T2R agonists include indicators of incoming threats to metabolic homeostasis, pathogens, and irritants. This review will provide an overview of T2R-regulated processes throughout the body that function defensively. We propose a broader definition of T2Rs as chemosensory sentinels that monitor toxic, metabolic, and infectious threats and initiate defensive responses.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)70-76
Number of pages7
JournalCurrent Opinion in Physiology
Volume20
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 2021
Externally publishedYes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Physiology
  • Physiology (medical)

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Bitter taste receptors (T2Rs) are sentinels that coordinate metabolic and immunological defense responses'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this