TAS2R16: Taste 2 Receptor Member 16
Bitter Taste Receptor Gene Involved in Dietary Perception and Metabolic Signaling
Gene Information Card
| Symbol | TAS2R16 |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Taste 2 Receptor Member 16 |
| Gene Type | protein-coding |
| Chromosomal Location | 7q31.32 |
| NCBI Gene ID | 50833 ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/50833 |
| Ensembl ID | ENSG00000128519 |
| UniProt ID | Q9NYW0 |
| OMIM ID | 604867 |
| HGNC ID | 14917 |
| Aliases | T2R16, TAS2R16, taste receptor type 2 member 16 |
Description
TAS2R16 encodes a member of the TAS2R family of bitter taste receptors, which are G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) expressed on the surface of taste receptor cells. This receptor specifically recognizes bitter compounds such as salicin, phenylthiocarbamide (PTC), and other beta-glucopyranosides. TAS2R16 plays a role in dietary selection, toxin avoidance, and has been implicated in metabolic disorders and alcohol dependence. The gene is located on chromosome 7q31.32 and contains a single coding exon.
Disease Associations
| Disease category | Pathophysiological mechanism | Genomic evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Alcohol Dependence | Polymorphisms in TAS2R16 alter bitter taste sensitivity, influencing alcohol consumption behavior and risk of dependence. | NCBI Gene, ClinVar |
| Obesity | Variants affecting taste perception may lead to increased intake of high-calorie foods, contributing to obesity risk. | NCBI Gene, OMIM |
| Type 2 Diabetes | Altered bitter taste receptor signaling in extra-oral tissues (e.g., gut) may impact glucose metabolism and insulin secretion. | NCBI Gene, UniProt |
| Bitter Taste Sensitivity (PTC) | Common missense variants (e.g., K172N) reduce receptor sensitivity to bitter compounds, affecting dietary preferences. | ClinVar, OMIM |
Expression Profile
Tissue Expression
| Tissue | nTPM | level |
|---|---|---|
| Tongue (Taste Buds) | 0.5 | Low |
| Small Intestine | 0.3 | Low |
| Colon | 0.2 | Low |
| Pancreas | 0.1 | Not detected |
| Liver | 0.0 | Not detected |
Cell Line Expression
| Cell Line | nTPM | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| HEK293 (embryonic kidney) | 0.0 | Not expressed endogenously; used for heterologous expression studies |
| Caco-2 (colorectal) | 0.1 | Low expression |
| HepG2 (liver) | 0.0 | Not detected |
Data source：Human Protein Atlas（proteinatlas.org）
Mutations & Variants
Hotspot Mutations
| Variant | Type | Frequency | Functional Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| c.516G>C (p.Lys172Asn) | Missense | Common (allele frequency ~0.3 in Europeans) | Reduced sensitivity to bitter compounds (e.g., salicin) |
| c.145C>T (p.Arg49Cys) | Missense | Rare | Altered receptor activation |
| c.100G>A (p.Gly34Ser) | Missense | Rare | Unknown functional effect |
Mutation functional classification
Loss of Function (LOF)
p.Lys172Asn reduces receptor activation by bitter ligands, leading to decreased taste sensitivity.
Gain of Function (GOF)
No gain-of-function mutations reported in TAS2R16.
Dominant Negative (DN)
No dominant-negative mutations described for TAS2R16.
View complete mutation data：
Gene Ontology (GO)
Pathways
• Taste transduction (KEGG: hsa04742)
• GPCR downstream signaling (Reactome: R-HSA-372790)
Protein Summary
TAS2R16 is a 299-amino acid G protein-coupled receptor with seven transmembrane domains. It is primarily expressed in taste receptor cells of the tongue, where it detects bitter compounds such as salicin and beta-glucopyranosides. The receptor couples to gustducin (GNAT3) and activates a signaling cascade leading to calcium mobilization and neurotransmitter release. Polymorphisms, particularly p.Lys172Asn, alter receptor function and are associated with individual differences in bitter taste perception, influencing dietary choices and disease risk.
Related Services
Related Products
| Product name | Cat.No. | Species | Gene ID | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TAS2R16 Knockout HEK293 Cell Line | EDJ-KQ10822 | Human | 50833 | Details Get a Quote |
| TAS2R16 Knockout HeLa Cell Line | EDJ-KQ56190 | Human | 50833 | Details Get a Quote |
| TAS2R16 Knockout A-549 Cell Line | EDJ-KQ64679 | Human | 50833 | Details Get a Quote |
| TAS2R16 Knockout HCT 116 Cell Line | EDJ-KQ73127 | Human | 50833 | Details Get a Quote |
