猪獾苦味受体T2R2基因的分子克隆与进化分析

苦味的感知是机体有效的自我保护机制之一。文章采用PCR和克隆测序方法首次从猪獾基因组中获得一全长为1 169 bp的苦味受体T2R2基因DNA序列(GenBank登录号: FJ812727)。该序列含有完整的1个外显子(无内含子), 大小为915 bp, 编码304个氨基酸残基。其蛋白质等电点为9.76, 分子量为34.74 kDa。拓扑结构预测显示猪獾T2R2蛋白上含有N-糖基化位点、N-肉豆蔻酰化位点各1个, 蛋白激酶C磷酸化位点2个。整个蛋白质多肽链含有7个跨膜螺旋区, 4个细胞外区和4个细胞内区。亲水性/疏水性分析表明, 猪獾T2R2蛋白质为一疏水性蛋白, 其亲水性区段所占比例较小。种间相似性比较显示, 猪獾T2R2基因与犬、猫、牛、马、黑猩猩和小鼠的T2R2基因cDNA序列相似性分别为91.4%、90.6%、84.4%、85.4%、83.8%、72.1%, 氨基酸序列相似性分别为85.5%、85.8%、74.0%、77.6%、75.3%、61.5%。核苷酸替换计算和选择性检验结果表明, 猪獾T2R2基因与犬、猫、牛、马、黑猩猩和小鼠间存在着强烈的纯净化选择(Purifying selection), 即强烈的功能束缚(Functional constraint), 进一步分析发现该选择作用实际上主要存在于跨膜区。猪獾、犬、猫、牛、马、黑猩猩和小鼠的T2R2基因外显子核苷酸序列构建的基因树与其物种树的拓扑结构是相一致的, 表明T2R2基因适合于构建不同物种间的系统进化树。     

牛卵巢PRSS35基因CDS序列分析

为测定牛卵巢丝氨酸蛋白酶35 (PRSS35)的CDS序列并进行生物信息学分析。试验根据NCBI上已公布牛PRSS35基因的mRNA序列设计特异性引物,使用RT-PCR技术扩增牛卵泡中PRSS35的CDS序列。结果显示,牛PRSS35基因CDS区序列全长为1 239 bp,共编码412个氨基酸,PRSS35与其他10个物种的同源序列相似性较高,且该蛋白具有一个长度为20个氨基酸的信号肽,具有11个O-糖基化位点和2个N-糖基化位点,以及3个磷酸化位点,并发现有一个典型的Tryp_Spc结构域,即胰蛋白酶样丝氨酸蛋白酶结构域。为进一步研究该基因及其编码蛋白在卵泡发育过程中所起的作用提供了一定的理论依据。     

兰州大尾羊MAPK13基因cDNA克隆及生物信息学分析

克隆兰州大尾羊促分裂素原活化蛋白激酶MAPK13基因,并分析其序列及其编码蛋白的生物学特性,为研究绵羊MAPK13基因的功能和生产应用提供参考。根据绵羊MAPK13基因CDS序列设计特异引物,利用RACE和RT-PCR技术克隆获得兰州大尾羊MAPK13基因全长序列,并结合生物信息学方法分析其生物学特性。克隆获得兰州大尾羊MAPK13基因cDNA序列全长1 397 bp,其CDS区片段长1 102 bp,编码367个氨基酸。预测兰州大尾羊MAPK13蛋白分子量为42.29 kD,理论等电点为8.82,为非跨膜的疏水性蛋白,亚细胞定位主要在细胞质中,无信号肽,不属于分泌蛋白。预测其氨基酸序列有19个磷酸化位点,3个糖基化位点,3个磷酸化功能结构域,4个其他结构域,1个LCR片段,二级结构以α-螺旋为主。同源性分析显示兰州大尾羊MAPK13基因序列与已发布的绵羊MAPK13 mRNA序列(登录号:NM_001139455.1)相比,其第852位发生碱基转换(CA),导致编码蛋白第265位氨基酸发生碱基转换(ST),同时,第951位发生碱基转换(TG),但其所编码氨基酸不变。构建的基因进化树分析结果显示兰州大尾羊与牛亲缘关系最近。兰州大尾羊与其他物种MAPK13基因在结构上相似性较高,说明该基因具有高度的保守性,其序列包含的S_TKc结构域可将ATP的γ磷酰基转移到蛋白质丝氨酸/苏氨酸残基上,导致一系列肥胖相关基因的功能失调和表达变化,为进一步研究MAPK13基因与成脂分化过程的相关性提供了参考。     

牦牛CSRP3基因的克隆及组织表达分析

CSRP3基因(Cysteine and glycine-rich protein 3,CSRP3)编码CRP3蛋白,是一个肌发生的正调节因子,可通过多种方式在肌肉发育和肌肉细胞结构维持中起重要作用。通过对牦牛CSRP3基因进行克隆及组织表达谱分析,为后续提高牦牛肉品质的研究提供基础数据。采用RT-PCR方法克隆牦牛CSRP3基因CDS区;再对其进行序列分析及蛋白结构和功能预测等生物信息学分析;最后利用实时荧光定量PCR技术检测该基因在牦牛不同组织中的表达量。牦牛CSRP3基因CDS区长585 bp,编码194个氨基酸;CSRP3基因的系统进化树结果显示,牦牛与黄牛的亲缘性最近,其次是绵羊。牦牛CSRP3基因编码的蛋白为偏碱性不稳定亲水蛋白,无跨膜结构和信号肽,为非分泌蛋白,含有磷酸化位点22个,N-糖基化位点2个,O-糖基化位点7个;存在两个LIM结构域,属于LIM结构域蛋白质超家族成员,主要分布于细胞核中;二级结构以无规卷曲为主,三级结构的最佳模型为1b8t.1.A;实时荧光定量PCR结果显示,牦牛CSRP3基因在臀大肌中有较高表达量。生物信息学分析结果显示,CRP3蛋白含有两个LIM结构域,主要分布在细胞核中,实时荧光定量PCR结果显示牦牛CSRP3基因在臀大肌中具有较高表达量,为牦牛CSRP3基因在牦牛肉品质方面的调控机制研究提供了基础数据。     

绵羊EGFR基因的克隆、表达及序列分析

表皮生长因子受体(epidermal growth factor receptor,EGFR)是酪氨酸激酶受体家族成员之一,不仅参与细胞增殖、生长和凋亡等多种生命活动,也可调节哺乳动物的乳腺发育及泌乳维持,但对绵羊EGFR基因的序列特征及组织表达情况鲜有报道.本试验以高泌乳量的小尾寒羊(泌乳高峰期和空怀期)及低泌乳量的甘肃高山细毛羊(泌乳高峰期)母羊为研究对象,利用RT-PCR、克隆及测序技术获得绵羊EGFR基因完整的CDS区,分析了 EGFR蛋白的结构特征及理化性质,利用RT-qPCR技术研究了基因的组织表达情况.结果表明,绵羊EGFR基因CDS区全长为3 627 bp,编码1 208个氨基酸.绵羊EGFR的氨基酸序列在各物种间较保守,与黄牛EGFR的氨基酸序列同源性最高.EGFR为跨膜蛋白,包含111个磷酸化位点,二级结构以α螺旋和无规则卷曲为主.网络互作分析表明EGFR蛋白与肝素结合表皮生长因子(HB-EGF)、表皮调节素(EREG)、双调蛋白(AREG)及生长因子受体结合蛋白2(GRB2)结合发挥作用.EGFR主要参与MAPK,PI3K/AKT,JAK/STAT及Wnt信号通路,从而参与了动物的乳腺发育及泌乳功能的调节.RT-qPCR结果表明,绵羊EGFR基因的表达具有组织特异性、时空特异性和品种特异性.该基因在所研究的8个组织中均表达,但在肾脏、卵巢、肝脏、乳腺和肺脏组织中的表达量较高;在小尾寒羊的乳腺组织中,该基因在空怀期的表达量显著高于泌乳高峰期的(P＜0.05);在泌乳高峰期的乳腺组织中,该基因在小尾寒羊中的表达量高于甘肃高山细毛羊的.本试验为深入研究绵羊EGFR基因的泌乳生物学功能提供了基础数据.     

解淀粉芽孢杆菌TF28抗菌蛋白TasA基因序列分析及蛋白质结构预测

本研究以解淀粉芽孢杆菌TF28为材料,采用PCR方法从基因组DNA中扩增出抗菌蛋白Tas A基因,利用生物信息学方法对Tas A基因序列及其编码的蛋白质结构进行分析和预测。结果表明Tas A基因全长786 bp,含有一个完整的开放阅读框和一个终止密码子,编码261个氨基酸,经Blast比对,该基因与其它解淀粉芽孢杆菌Tas A基因同源性为95%~99%,与B.amyloliquefaciens FZB42(CP 000560.1)Tas A基因序列同源性最高为99%,与B.amyloliquefaciens DSM7(FN597644.1)的同源性最低为95%。预测该基因编码蛋白质分子量为28 k D,等电点为6.35,是含有信号肽和跨膜结构的亲水蛋白,蛋白结构中含有糖基化和磷酸化位点,二级结构中以琢螺旋、茁折叠和无规则卷曲为主。     

林麝及其近缘物种编码区微卫星分布规律及功能分析

麝科和鹿科动物均属于偶蹄反刍类动物,具有重要的经济价值。通过系统的微卫星序列 (Simple sequences repeats, SSRs) 从基因组水平揭示物种间的系统进化关系,探索微卫星序列的基因功能及其富集的信号通路,目前仍缺乏相关研究。随着林麝 (Moschus berezovskii)、原麝 (Moschus moschiferus)、小麂 (Muntiacus reevesi)、赤麂 (Muntiacus vaginalis) 和马鹿 (Cervus elaphus) 基因组测序的完成,本文利用生物信息学方法提取了这些动物蛋白质编码区 (coding sequences, CDS) 序列,统计和分析了其CDS区微卫星序列分布规律及其生物学功能,探索了含SSR 基因富集的信号通路及其与疾病的关联性。结果表明,林麝、原麝、小麂、赤麂和马鹿蛋白质编码区含SSR序列的基因所占比例分别为6.96% (1 696个)、7.18% (2 359个)、7.29% (3 005个)、7.36% (1 916个) 和7.48% (1 924个),并且这5种动物CDS区SSRs分布模式具有相似性,均是三倍体核苷酸 (即三核苷酸和六核苷酸) SSRs最多,分别为96.85%、94.87%、65.44%、64.23%和88.04%。GO功能富集表明,林麝与其他4种动物蛋白质编码区SSR序列在分子功能、细胞组成和生物学过程3个方面具有较多共同显著富集的功能,包括DNA结合、染色质和生长发育等。KEGG 通路分析表明,林麝及其他4种动物蛋白质编码区SSR序列具有7个共同显著富集的KEGG通路,包括遗传信息调控蛋白家族、转录因子、染色体及相关蛋白、剪接体、转录机制和Notch信号通路和成体糖尿病。通过对林麝编码区含SSR关键免疫基因及其相关联的KEGG通路进行分析,发现10个含SSR的关键免疫基因对应的KEGG通路与疾病密切相关。     

三个绵羊群体MC4R基因多态性及生物信息学分析

旨在探讨绵羊黑素皮质素受体-4(melanocortin-4 receptor,MC4R)的分子机理,采用PCR-SSCP方法对3个绵羊群体(甘肃肉用绵羊新品种群、小尾寒羊和湖羊)的MC4R基因外显子进行多态性检测和生物信息学分析。结果表明,3个绵羊群体均存在3种基因型AA型、AB型和BB型,优势基因型为BB,其中优势等位基因为B;测序结果表明,野生型BB型和突变型AB型相比,AB型个体在该基因编码区第511位点发生G→A突变,第495位发生C→T突变;AA型个体在该基因编码区第511位点发生G→A突变,出现AA的纯合,第495位发生C→T突变,出现CC纯合;3个绵羊群体中小尾寒羊的多态信息含量属于中度多态(0.25PIC0.50),甘肃肉用绵羊新品种群羊和湖羊属于低度多态(PIC0.25);χ2适合性检验表明除湖羊之外,其余2个绵羊品种均处于Hardy-Weinberg平衡状态。生物信息学分析发现MC4R氨基酸序列有明显的疏水性区域,有7个跨膜螺旋区及信号肽,其编码蛋白主要的二级结构元件是α螺旋和无规则卷曲;同源性比对发现绵羊MC4R基因与山羊、牛、野猪、人类及大猩猩的相似度分别为97%、94%、81%、83%及83%,说明MC4R是一个非常保守的蛋白,在绵羊的生长发育中起着重要作用。     

藏羚羊PGC-1α基因编码区的克隆与分析

以藏羚羊(Pantholops hodgsonii)及同海拔分布的藏系绵羊(Tibetan Sheep)的心肌组织为材料,提取总RNA,利用逆转录聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)技术扩增出过氧化物酶体增生物激活受体γ辅激活因子-1α(PGC-1α)的基因编码区cDNA片段,与载体连接构建重组质粒,经转化、扩增培养、鉴定后测序。利用生物信息学方法分析显示,藏羚羊和藏系绵羊的PGC-1α基因编码区长度均为2 349 bp,编码797个氨基酸(GenBank登录号分别为:JF449959和JF449960);与其他脊椎动物PGC-1α基因的核苷酸及氨基酸序列相似性达到90%以上;其包含RNA/DNA结合位点、RNA识别基序(RRM)、与核呼吸因子1(NRF-1)及肌细胞增强因子2C(MEF2C)相互作用的区域、富含丝氨酸/精氨酸的结构域、负调节功能结构域、LXXLL模体以及TPPTTPP和DHDYCQ两个保守序列,14个氨基酸差异性位点位于以上部分功能结构域中;此外,磷酸化位点的预测提示藏羚羊可能存在一个潜在的蛋白激酶G的磷酸化位点(第329位的苏氨酸)。本研究成功克隆出了藏羚羊PGC-1α基因的编码区序列,为从能量代谢角度深入探讨藏羚羊适应高原的分子生物学机制提供了新的思路。     

Molecular Cloning and Sequence Analysis of PGC-1α cDNA in Tibetan Antelope

以藏羚羊(Pantholops hodgsonii)及同海拔分布的藏系绵羊(Tibetan Sheep)的心肌组织为材料,提取总RNA,利用逆转录聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)技术扩增出过氧化物酶体增生物激活受体γ辅激活因子-1α(PGC-1α)的基因编码区cDNA片段,与载体连接构建重组质粒,经转化、扩增培养、鉴定后测序.利用生物信息学方法分析显示,藏羚羊和藏系绵羊的PGC-1α基因编码区长度均为2 349 bp,编码797个氨基酸(GenBank登录号分别为:JF449959和JF449960);与其他脊椎动物PGC-1α基因的核苷酸及氨基酸序列相似性达到90％以上;其包含RNA/DNA结合位点、RNA识别基序(RRM)、与核呼吸因子1( NRF-1)及肌细胞增强因子2C(MEF2C)相互作用的区域、富含丝氨酸/精氨酸的结构域、负调节功能结构域、LXXLL模体以及TPPTTPP和DHDYCQ两个保守序列,14个氨基酸差异性位点位于以上部分功能结构域中;此外,磷酸化位点的预测提示藏羚羊可能存在一个潜在的蛋白激酶G的磷酸化位点(第329位的苏氨酸).本研究成功克隆出了藏羚羊PGC-1α基因的编码区序列,为从能量代谢角度深入探讨藏羚羊适应高原的分子生物学机制提供了新的思路.     

Expression of taste receptors in Solitary Chemosensory Cells of rodent airways

Background

Chemical irritation of airway mucosa elicits a variety of reflex responses such as coughing, apnea, and laryngeal closure. Inhaled irritants can activate either chemosensitive free nerve endings, laryngeal taste buds or solitary chemosensory cells (SCCs). The SCC population lies in the nasal respiratory epithelium, vomeronasal organ, and larynx, as well as deeper in the airway. The objective of this study is to map the distribution of SCCs within the airways and to determine the elements of the chemosensory transduction cascade expressed in these SCCs.

Methods

We utilized a combination of immunohistochemistry and molecular techniques (rtPCR and in situ hybridization) on rats and transgenic mice where the Tas1R3 or TRPM5 promoter drives expression of green fluorescent protein (GFP).

Results

Epithelial SCCs specialized for chemoreception are distributed throughout much of the respiratory tree of rodents. These cells express elements of the taste transduction cascade, including Tas1R and Tas2R receptor molecules, α-gustducin, PLCβ2 and TrpM5. The Tas2R bitter taste receptors are present throughout the entire respiratory tract. In contrast, the Tas1R sweet/umami taste receptors are expressed by numerous SCCs in the nasal cavity, but decrease in prevalence in the trachea, and are absent in the lower airways.

Conclusions

Elements of the taste transduction cascade including taste receptors are expressed by SCCs distributed throughout the airways. In the nasal cavity, SCCs, expressing Tas1R and Tas2R taste receptors, mediate detection of irritants and foreign substances which trigger trigeminally-mediated protective airway reflexes. Lower in the respiratory tract, similar chemosensory cells are not related to the trigeminal nerve but may still trigger local epithelial responses to irritants. In total, SCCs should be considered chemoreceptor cells that help in preventing damage to the respiratory tract caused by inhaled irritants and pathogens.     

No relationship between sequence variation in protein coding regions of the Tas1r3 gene and saccharin preference in rats

Nearly all mammalian species like sweet-tasting foods and drinks, but there are differences in the degree of 'sweet tooth' both between species and among individuals of the same species. Some individual differences can be explained by genetic variability. Polymorphisms in a sweet taste receptor (Tas1r3) account for a large fraction of the differences in consumption of sweet solutions among inbred mouse strains. We wondered whether mice and rats share the same Tas1r3 alleles, and whether this gene might explain the large difference in saccharin preference among rats. We conducted three experiments to test this. We examined DNA sequence differences in the Tas1r3 gene among rats that differed in their consumption of saccharin in two-bottle choice tests. The animals tested were from an outbred strain (Sprague-Dawley; experiment 1), selectively bred to be high- or low-saccharin consumers (HiS and LoS; experiment 2), or from inbred strains with established differences in saccharin preference (FH/Wjd and ACI; experiment 3). Although there was considerable variation in saccharin preference among the rats there was no variation in the protein-coding regions of the Tas1r3 gene. DNA variants in intronic regions were detected in 1 (of 12) outbred rat with lower-than-average saccharin preference and in the ACI inbred strain, which also has a lower saccharin preference than the FH/Wjd inbred partner strain. Possible effects of these intronic nucleotide variants on Tas1r3 gene expression or the presence of T1R3 protein in taste papillae were evaluated in the ACI and FH/Wjd strains. Based upon the results of these studies, we conclude that polymorphisms in the protein-coding regions of the sweet receptor gene Tas1r3 are uncommon and do not account for individual differences in saccharin preference for these strains of rats. DNA variants in intron 4 and 5 are more common but appear to be innocuous.     

Pseudogenization of a sweet-receptor gene accounts for cats' indifference toward sugar

Although domestic cats (Felis silvestris catus) possess an otherwise functional sense of taste, they, unlike most mammals, do not prefer and may be unable to detect the sweetness of sugars. One possible explanation for this behavior is that cats lack the sensory system to taste sugars and therefore are indifferent to them. Drawing on work in mice, demonstrating that alleles of sweet-receptor genes predict low sugar intake, we examined the possibility that genes involved in the initial transduction of sweet perception might account for the indifference to sweet-tasting foods by cats. We characterized the sweet-receptor genes of domestic cats as well as those of other members of the Felidae family of obligate carnivores, tiger and cheetah. Because the mammalian sweet-taste receptor is formed by the dimerization of two proteins (T1R2 and T1R3; gene symbols Tas1r2 and Tas1r3), we identified and sequenced both genes in the cat by screening a feline genomic BAC library and by performing PCR with degenerate primers on cat genomic DNA. Gene expression was assessed by RT-PCR of taste tissue, in situ hybridization, and immunohistochemistry. The cat Tas1r3 gene shows high sequence similarity with functional Tas1r3 genes of other species. Message from Tas1r3 was detected by RT-PCR of taste tissue. In situ hybridization and immunohistochemical studies demonstrate that Tas1r3 is expressed, as expected, in taste buds. However, the cat Tas1r2 gene shows a 247-base pair microdeletion in exon 3 and stop codons in exons 4 and 6. There was no evidence of detectable mRNA from cat Tas1r2 by RT-PCR or in situ hybridization, and no evidence of protein expression by immunohistochemistry. Tas1r2 in tiger and cheetah and in six healthy adult domestic cats all show the similar deletion and stop codons. We conclude that cat Tas1r3 is an apparently functional and expressed receptor but that cat Tas1r2 is an unexpressed pseudogene. A functional sweet-taste receptor heteromer cannot form, and thus the cat lacks the receptor likely necessary for detection of sweet stimuli. This molecular change was very likely an important event in the evolution of the cat's carnivorous behavior.     

Impaired Glucose Metabolism in Mice Lacking the Tas1r3 Taste Receptor Gene

The G-protein-coupled sweet taste receptor dimer T1R2/T1R3 is expressed in taste bud cells in the oral cavity. In recent years, its involvement in membrane glucose sensing was discovered in endocrine cells regulating glucose homeostasis. We investigated importance of extraorally expressed T1R3 taste receptor protein in age-dependent control of blood glucose homeostasis in vivo, using nonfasted mice with a targeted mutation of the Tas1r3 gene that encodes the T1R3 protein. Glucose and insulin tolerance tests, as well as behavioral tests measuring taste responses to sucrose solutions, were performed with C57BL/6ByJ (Tas1r3+/+) inbred mice bearing the wild-type allele and C57BL/6J-Tas1r3^tm1Rfm mice lacking the entire Tas1r3 coding region and devoid of the T1R3 protein (Tas1r3-/-). Compared with Tas1r3+/+ mice, Tas1r3-/- mice lacked attraction to sucrose in brief-access licking tests, had diminished taste preferences for sucrose solutions in the two-bottle tests, and had reduced insulin sensitivity and tolerance to glucose administered intraperitoneally or intragastrically, which suggests that these effects are due to absence of T1R3. Impairment of glucose clearance in Tas1r3-/- mice was exacerbated with age after intraperitoneal but not intragastric administration of glucose, pointing to a compensatory role of extraoral T1R3-dependent mechanisms in offsetting age-dependent decline in regulation of glucose homeostasis. Incretin effects were similar in Tas1r3+/+ and Tas1r3-/- mice, which suggests that control of blood glucose clearance is associated with effects of extraoral T1R3 in tissues other than the gastrointestinal tract. Collectively, the obtained data demonstrate that the T1R3 receptor protein plays an important role in control of glucose homeostasis not only by regulating sugar intake but also via its extraoral function, probably in the pancreas and brain.     

A Subset of Mouse Colonic Goblet Cells Expresses the Bitter Taste Receptor Tas2r131

The concept that gut nutrient sensing involves taste receptors has been fueled by recent reports associating the expression of taste receptors and taste-associated signaling molecules in the gut and in gut-derived cell lines with physiological responses induced by known taste stimuli. However, for bitter taste receptors (Tas2rs), direct evidence for their functional role in gut physiology is scarce and their cellular expression pattern remained unknown. We therefore investigated Tas2r expression in mice. RT-PCR experiments assessed the presence of mRNA for Tas2rs and taste signaling molecules in the gut. A gene-targeted mouse strain was established to visualize and identify cell types expressing the bitter receptor Tas2r131. Messenger RNA for various Tas2rs and taste signaling molecules were detected by RT-PCR in the gut. Using our knock-in mouse strain we demonstrate that a subset of colonic goblet cells express Tas2r131. Cells that express this receptor are absent in the upper gut and do not correspond to enteroendocrine and brush cells. Expression in colonic goblet cells is consistent with a role of Tas2rs in defense mechanisms against potentially harmful xenobiotics.     

Evolutionary insights into umami,sweet, and bitter taste receptors in amphibians

Umami and sweet sensations provide animals with important dietary information for detecting and consuming nutrients, whereas bitter sensation helps animals avoid potentially toxic or harmful substances. Enormous progress has been made toward animal sweet/umami taste receptor (Tas1r) and bitter taste receptor (Tas2r). However, information about amphibians is mainly scarce. This study attempted to delineate the repertoire of Tas1r/Tas2r genes by searching for currently available genome sequences in 14 amphibian species. This study identified 16 Tas1r1, 9 Tas1r2, and 9 Tas1r3 genes to be intact and another 17 Tas1r genes to be pseudogenes or absent in the 14 amphibians. According to the functional prediction of Tas1r genes, two species have lost sweet sensation and seven species have lost both umami and sweet sensations. Anurans possessed a large number of intact Tas2rs, ranging from 39 to 178. In contrast, caecilians possessed a contractive bitter taste repertoire, ranging from 4 to 19. Phylogenetic and reconciling analysis revealed that the repertoire of amphibian Tas1rs and Tas2rs was shaped by massive gene duplications and losses. No correlation was found between feeding preferences and the evolution of Tas1rs in amphibians. However, the expansion of Tas2rs may help amphibians adapt to both aquatic and terrestrial habitats. Bitter detection may have played an important role in the evolutionary adaptation of vertebrates in the transition from water to land.     

Allelic variation of the Tas1r3 taste receptor gene selectively affects taste responses to sweeteners: evidence from 129.B6-Tas1r3 congenic mice.

The Tas1r3 gene encodes the T1R3 receptor protein, which is involved in sweet taste transduction. To characterize ligand specificity of the T1R3 receptor and the genetic architecture of sweet taste responsiveness, we analyzed taste responses of 129.B6-Tas1r3 congenic mice to a variety of chemically diverse sweeteners and glucose polymers with three different measures: consumption in 48-h two-bottle preference tests, initial licking responses, and responses of the chorda tympani nerve. The results were generally consistent across the three measures. Allelic variation of the Tas1r3 gene influenced taste responsiveness to nonnutritive sweeteners (saccharin, acesulfame-K, sucralose, SC-45647), sugars (sucrose, maltose, glucose, fructose), sugar alcohols (erythritol, sorbitol), and some amino acids (D-tryptophan, D-phenylalanine, L-proline). Tas1r3 genotype did not affect taste responses to several sweet-tasting amino acids (L-glutamine, L-threonine, L-alanine, glycine), glucose polymers (Polycose, maltooligosaccharide), and nonsweet NaCl, HCl, quinine, monosodium glutamate, and inosine 5'-monophosphate. Thus Tas1r3 polymorphisms affect taste responses to many nutritive and nonnutritive sweeteners (all of which must interact with a taste receptor involving T1R3), but not to all carbohydrates and amino acids. In addition, we found that the genetic architecture of sweet taste responsiveness changes depending on the measure of taste response and the intensity of the sweet taste stimulus. Variation in the T1R3 receptor influenced peripheral taste responsiveness over a wide range of sweetener concentrations, but behavioral responses to higher concentrations of some sweeteners increasingly depended on mechanisms that could override input from the peripheral taste system.     

The repertoire of bitter taste receptor genes in Ovalentaria fish

Bitter taste perception is important for vertebrates to select food and avoid toxic substances. A large number of Tas2r genes have been identified from vertebrate species previously; however, few studies have been conducted on the Tas2r genes of Ovalentaria species that have various dietary niches and are widely distributed, ranging from the sea to freshwater environments. Several genomes of Ovalentaria species have been released recently, allowing us to study Tas2r genes in these fishes. Thus, we explored the genomes of these fishes and identified 34 Tas2r genes in 21 species, including 27 intact Tas2r genes and seven pseudogenes. The results suggest that Ovalentaria species generally carry a small repertoire of Tas2r genes. To determine the phylogenetic relationship of Tas2r genes among 21 fishes, we constructed neighbor-joining (NJ) trees. The results showed that gene duplication may not occur in these fishes. Phylogenetic independent contrast (PIC) analysis showed that the fish Tas2r gene repertoire size was not positively correlated with diet, indicating that the food swallowing behavior might reduce the importance of bitter taste sense.