The T1R3 subunit of the sweet taste receptor is activated by D2O in transmembrane domain-dependent manner

Natalie Ben Abu; Yaron Ben Shoshan-Galeczki; Einav Malach; Masha Y Niv

doi:10.1093/chemse/bjad032

The T1R3 subunit of the sweet taste receptor is activated by D2O in transmembrane domain-dependent manner

Chem Senses. 2023 Jan 1:48:bjad032. doi: 10.1093/chemse/bjad032.

Authors

Natalie Ben Abu¹, Yaron Ben Shoshan-Galeczki¹, Einav Malach¹, Masha Y Niv¹

Affiliation

¹ The Institute of Biochemistry, Food Science and Nutrition, Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, P.O. Box 12, Rehovot 76100, Israel.

PMID: 37589415
DOI: 10.1093/chemse/bjad032

Abstract

Deuterium oxide (D2O) is water in which the heavier and rare isotope deuterium replaces both hydrogens. We have previously shown that D2O has a distinctly sweet taste, mediated by the T1R2/T1R3 sweet taste receptor. Here, we explore the effect of heavy water on T1R2 and T1R3 subunits. We show that D2O activates T1R3-transfected HEK293T cells similarly to T1R2/T1R3-transfected cells. The response to glucose dissolved in D2O is higher than in water. Mutations of phenylalanine at position 7305.40 in the transmembrane domain of T1R3 to alanine, leucine, or tyrosine impair or diminish activation by D2O, suggesting a critical role for T1R3 TMD domain in relaying the heavy water signal.

Keywords: GPCRs; T1R3; TMD; deuterium oxide; family C; sweetness.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Deuterium Oxide
Glucose / pharmacology
HEK293 Cells
Humans
Taste Buds*
Taste*

Substances

Deuterium Oxide
Glucose