Identification of mouse bitter taste receptors that respond to resveratrol: a bitter-tasting polyphenolic compound

ABSTRACT The mouse bitter taste receptors (Tas2rs) that respond to resveratrol, a bitter-tasting polyphenolic compound, were identified. Among 35 members of the Tas2r family, Tas2r108, 109, 131, and 137 responded to resveratrol treatment. mRNA expression levels of Tas2r108 and Tas2r137 were higher than those of Tas2r109 and Tas2r131 in mouse circumvallate papillae, indicating that Tas2r108 and Tas2r137 may play important roles in detecting the bitterness of resveratrol in the oral cavity. The mRNA expression levels of Tas2r137 and Tas2r108 were also observed in several tissues, suggesting that Tas2r108 and Tas2r137 may also be involved in the physiological action of resveratrol.