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Morini G. The taste for health: the role of taste receptors and their ligands in the complex food/health relationship. Front Nutr 2024; 11:1396393. [PMID: 38873558 PMCID: PMC11169839 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2024.1396393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Taste, food, and health are terms that have since always accompanied the act of eating, but the association was simple: taste serves to classify a food as good or bad and therefore influences food choices, which determine the nutritional status and therefore health. The identification of taste receptors, particularly, the G protein-coupled receptors that mediate sweet, umami, and bitter tastes, in the gastrointestinal tract has assigned them much more relevant tasks, from nutrient sensing and hormone release to microbiota composition and immune response and finally to a rationale for the gut-brain axis. Particularly interesting are bitter taste receptors since most of the times they do not mediate macronutrients (energy). The relevant roles of bitter taste receptors in the gut indicate that they could become new drug targets and their ligands new medications or components in nutraceutical formulations. Traditional knowledge from different cultures reported that bitterness intensity was an indicator for distinguishing plants used as food from those used as medicine, and many non-cultivated plants were used to control glucose level and treat diabetes, modulate hunger, and heal gastrointestinal disorders caused by pathogens and parasites. This concept represents a means for the scientific integration of ancient wisdom with advanced medicine, constituting a possible boost for more sustainable food and functional food innovation and design.
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2
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Bhatia V, Esmati L, Bhullar RP. Regulation of Ras p21 and RalA GTPases activity by quinine in mammary epithelial cells. Mol Cell Biochem 2024; 479:567-577. [PMID: 37131040 DOI: 10.1007/s11010-023-04725-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Quinine, a bitter compound, can act as an agonist to activate the family of bitter taste G protein-coupled receptor family of proteins. Previous work from our laboratory has demonstrated that quinine causes activation of RalA, a Ras p21-related small G protein. Ral proteins can be activated directly or indirectly through an alternative pathway that requires Ras p21 activation resulting in the recruitment of RalGDS, a guanine nucleotide exchange factor for Ral. Using normal mammary epithelial (MCF-10A) and non-invasive mammary epithelial (MCF-7) cell lines, we investigated the effect of quinine in regulating Ras p21 and RalA activity. Results showed that in the presence of quinine, Ras p21 is activated in both MCF-10A and MCF-7 cells; however, RalA was inhibited in MCF-10A cells, and no effect was observed in the case of MCF-7 cells. MAP kinase, a downstream effector for Ras p21, was activated in both MCF-10A and MCF-7 cells. Western blot analysis confirmed the expression of RalGDS in MCF-10A cells and MCF-7 cells. The expression of RalGDS was higher in MCF-10A cells in comparison to the MCF-7 cells. Although RalGDS was detected in MCF-10A and MCF-7 cells, it did not result in RalA activation upon Ras p21 activation with quinine suggesting that the Ras p21-RalGDS-RalA pathway is not active in the MCF-10A cells. The inhibition of RalA activity in MCF-10A cells due to quinine could be as a result of a direct effect of this bitter compound on RalA. Protein modeling and ligand docking analysis demonstrated that quinine can interact with RalA through the R79 amino acid, which is located in the switch II region loop of the RalA protein. It is possible that quinine causes a conformational change that results in the inhibition of RalA activation even though RalGDS is present in the cell. More studies are needed to elucidate the mechanism(s) that regulate Ral activity in mammary epithelial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vikram Bhatia
- Manitoba Chemosensory Biology Research Group and Department of Oral Biology, Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, R3E 0W2, Canada
- Children's Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba (CHRIM), Winnipeg, MB, R3E 3P4, Canada
| | - Laya Esmati
- Manitoba Chemosensory Biology Research Group and Department of Oral Biology, Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, R3E 0W2, Canada
| | - Rajinder P Bhullar
- Manitoba Chemosensory Biology Research Group and Department of Oral Biology, Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, R3E 0W2, Canada.
- Department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, R3E 0W2, Canada.
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3
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Grădinaru TC, Gilca M, Vlad A, Dragoș D. Relevance of Phytochemical Taste for Anti-Cancer Activity: A Statistical Inquiry. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16227. [PMID: 38003415 PMCID: PMC10671173 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242216227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Targeting inflammation and the pathways linking inflammation with cancer is an innovative therapeutic strategy. Tastants are potential candidates for this approach, since taste receptors display various biological functions, including anti-inflammatory activity (AIA). The present study aims to explore the power different tastes have to predict a phytochemical's anti-cancer properties. It also investigates whether anti-inflammatory phytocompounds also have anti-cancer effects, and whether there are tastes that can better predict a phytochemical's bivalent biological activity. Data from the PlantMolecularTasteDB, containing a total of 1527 phytochemicals, were used. Out of these, only 624 phytocompounds met the inclusion criterion of having 40 hits in a PubMed search, using the name of the phytochemical as the keyword. Among them, 461 phytochemicals were found to possess anti-cancer activity (ACA). The AIA and ACA of phytochemicals were strongly correlated, irrespective of taste/orosensation or chemical class. Bitter taste was positively correlated with ACA, while sweet taste was negatively correlated. Among chemical classes, only flavonoids (which are most frequently bitter) had a positive association with both AIA and ACA, a finding confirming that taste has predictive primacy over chemical class. Therefore, bitter taste receptor agonists and sweet taste receptor antagonists may have a beneficial effect in slowing down the progression of inflammation to cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teodora-Cristiana Grădinaru
- Department of Functional Sciences I/Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania;
| | - Marilena Gilca
- Department of Functional Sciences I/Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania;
| | - Adelina Vlad
- Department of Functional Sciences I/Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania;
| | - Dorin Dragoș
- Department of Medical Semiology, Faculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania;
- 1st Internal Medicine Clinic, University Emergency Hospital Bucharest, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050098 Bucharest, Romania
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4
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Descamps-Solà M, Vilalta A, Jalsevac F, Blay MT, Rodríguez-Gallego E, Pinent M, Beltrán-Debón R, Terra X, Ardévol A. Bitter taste receptors along the gastrointestinal tract: comparison between humans and rodents. Front Nutr 2023; 10:1215889. [PMID: 37712001 PMCID: PMC10498470 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2023.1215889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023] Open
Abstract
For decades bitter taste receptors (TAS2R) were thought to be located only in the mouth and to serve as sensors for nutrients and harmful substances. However, in recent years Tas2r have also been reported in extraoral tissues such as the skin, the lungs, and the intestine, where their function is still uncertain. To better understand the physiological role of these receptors, in this paper we focused on the intestine, an organ in which their activation may be similar to the receptors found in the mouth. We compare the relative presence of these receptors along the gastrointestinal tract in three main species of biomedical research (mice, rats and humans) using sequence homology. Current data from studies of rodents are scarce and while more data are available in humans, they are still deficient. Our results indicate, unexpectedly, that the reported expression profiles do not always coincide between species even if the receptors are orthologs. This may be due not only to evolutionary divergence of the species but also to their adaptation to different dietary patterns. Further studies are needed in order to develop an integrated vision of these receptors and their physiological functionality along the gastrointestinal tract.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Raúl Beltrán-Debón
- Departament de Bioquímica i Biotecnologia, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, MoBioFood Research Group, Tarragona, Spain
| | - Ximena Terra
- Departament de Bioquímica i Biotecnologia, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, MoBioFood Research Group, Tarragona, Spain
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Singh A, Agrawal S, Patwardhan K, Gehlot S. Overlooked contributions of Ayurveda literature to the history of physiology of digestion and metabolism. HISTORY AND PHILOSOPHY OF THE LIFE SCIENCES 2023; 45:13. [PMID: 36947245 DOI: 10.1007/s40656-023-00559-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Ayurveda is a traditional system of healthcare that is native to India and has a rich documented literature of its own. Most of the historians agree that the documentation of core Ayurveda literature took place approximately in between 400 BCE and 200 CE, while acknowledging that the roots of its theoretical framework can be traced back to a much earlier period. For multiple reasons many significant contributions of Ayurveda literature to various streams of biological and medical sciences have remained under-recognized while recounting the historical milestones of development. This is true in the context of the physiology of digestion and metabolism too. In this communication we try to reconstruct a picture of the processes of digestion and metabolism as had been understood by ancient Ayurveda scholars. Though this understanding was primitive and insufficient in many ways, we argue that this deserves to be documented and acknowledged. To help with grasping the importance of these contributions, we juxtapose them with the corresponding insights pertaining to this subject reported by prominent western scientists. The major contributions of Ayurveda that have been recounted in this paper are those related to the description of three distinct phases of digestion (Avasthapaka), multiple sets of transformative entities acting at different levels of metabolism (Agni), and the roles ascribed to various internal and external factors in executing these physiological functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aparna Singh
- Department of Kriya Sharir, Faculty of Ayurveda, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, UP, India
| | - Sonam Agrawal
- Department of Kriya Sharir, Faculty of Ayurveda, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, UP, India
| | - Kishor Patwardhan
- Department of Kriya Sharir, Faculty of Ayurveda, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, UP, India.
| | - Sangeeta Gehlot
- Department of Kriya Sharir, Faculty of Ayurveda, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, UP, India.
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Luongo FP, Passaponti S, Haxhiu A, Raeispour M, Belmonte G, Governini L, Casarini L, Piomboni P, Luddi A. Bitter Taste Receptors and Endocrine Disruptors: Cellular and Molecular Insights from an In Vitro Model of Human Granulosa Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232415540. [PMID: 36555195 PMCID: PMC9779643 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232415540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Revised: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are compounds that interfere with the synthesis, transport and binding action of hormones responsible for reproduction and homeostasis. Some EDCs compounds are activators of Taste bitter Receptors, a subclass of taste receptors expressed in many extraoral locations, including sperm and follicular somatic cells. This makes TAS2Rs attractive molecules to study and investigate to shed light on the effect of EDCs on female reproduction and fertility. This study aims to assess the effect of selected EDCs [namely Biochanin A (BCA), caffeine, Daidzein, Genistein and Isoflavone] on hGL5, an immortalized cell line exhibiting characteristics coherent with primary follicular granulosa cells. After demonstrating that this model expresses all the TAS2Rs (TAS2R3, TAS2R4, TAS2R14, TAS2R19, TAS2R43) specifically expressed by the primary human granulosa cells, we demonstrated that BCA and caffeine significantly affect mitochondrial footprint and intracellular lipid content, indicating their contribution in steroidogenesis. Our results showed that bitter taste receptors may be involved in steroidogenesis, thus suggesting an appealing mechanism by which these compounds affect the female reproductive system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Paola Luongo
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, Siena University, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Sofia Passaponti
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Alesandro Haxhiu
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, Siena University, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Maryam Raeispour
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, Siena University, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Belmonte
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, Siena University, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Laura Governini
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, Siena University, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Livio Casarini
- Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41126 Modena, Italy
| | - Paola Piomboni
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, Siena University, 53100 Siena, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0577586632
| | - Alice Luddi
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, Siena University, 53100 Siena, Italy
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7
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Dragoș D, Petran M, Gradinaru TC, Gilca M. Phytochemicals and Inflammation: Is Bitter Better? PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 11:plants11212991. [PMID: 36365444 PMCID: PMC9654259 DOI: 10.3390/plants11212991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2022] [Revised: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
The taste of a herb influences its use in traditional medicine. A molecular basis for the taste-based patterns ruling the distribution of herbal (ethno) pharmacological activities may not be excluded. This study investigated the potential correlations between the anti-inflammatory activity (AIA) and the phytocompound taste and/or its chemical class. The study relies on information gathered by an extensive literature (articles, books, databases) search and made public as PlantMolecularTasteDB. Out of a total of 1527 phytotastants with reliably documented taste and structure available in PlantMolecularTasteDB, 592 (for each of which at least 40 hits were found on PubMed searches) were included in the statistical analysis. A list of 1836 putative molecular targets of these phytotastants was afterwards generated with SwissTargetPrediction tool. These targets were systematically evaluated for their potential role in inflammation using an international databases search. The correlations between phytochemical taste and AIA, between chemical class and AIA, and between the taste and the number of inflammation related targets were statistically analyzed. Phytochemical taste may be a better predictor of AIA than the chemical class. Bitter phytocompounds have a higher probability of exerting AIA when compared with otherwise phytotastants. Moreover, bitter phytotastants act upon more inflammation related targets than non-bitter tasting compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorin Dragoș
- Department of Medical Semiology, Faculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania
- 1st Internal Medicine Clinic, University Emergency Hospital Bucharest, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050098 Bucharest, Romania
- Correspondence:
| | - Madalina Petran
- Department of Functional Sciences I/Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Teodora-Cristiana Gradinaru
- Department of Functional Sciences I/Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Marilena Gilca
- Department of Functional Sciences I/Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
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8
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Gradinaru TC, Petran M, Dragos D, Gilca M. PlantMolecularTasteDB: A Database of Taste Active Phytochemicals. Front Pharmacol 2022; 12:751712. [PMID: 35095484 PMCID: PMC8789873 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.751712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Teodora-Cristiana Gradinaru
- Department of Functional Sciences I/Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Madalina Petran
- Department of Functional Sciences I/Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Dorin Dragos
- Department of Medical Semiology, Faculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania.,1st Internal Medicine Clinic, University Emergency Hospital Bucharest, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Marilena Gilca
- Department of Functional Sciences I/Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
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10
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Ho HKY, Bigliardi PL, Stelmashenko O, Ramasamy S, Postlethwaite M, Bigliardi-Qi M. Functionally expressed bitter taste receptor TAS2R14 in human epidermal keratinocytes serves as a chemosensory receptor. Exp Dermatol 2021; 30:216-225. [PMID: 33253444 DOI: 10.1111/exd.14250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2020] [Revised: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Traditionally, it is theorized that skin sensation is initiated when cutaneous sensory afferents and Merkel cells receive sensory stimuli, while epidermal keratinocytes were deemed to have no role. However, mounting evidence has shown that keratinocytes can initiate skin sensation by receiving sensory stimuli and transmitting sensory information to sensory afferents. Knowledge regarding the mechanisms by which keratinocytes receive exogenous stimuli is limited, with TRP channels and olfactory receptors having been proposed to serve as receptors for exogenous stimuli in keratinocytes. Recently, expression analyses have demonstrated the expression of multiple TAS2R genes in human skin. TAS2Rs are chemosensory GPCRs employed by taste cells to detect bitter-tasting substances. However, only subtypes TAS2R1 and TAS2R38 have been characterized in epidermal keratinocytes. We present evidence suggesting that subtype TAS2R14 is functionally expressed in epidermal keratinocytes. TAS2R14 transcripts and protein were detected in primary and N/TERT-1 keratinocytes. Additionally, keratinocytes responded to α-thujone, a TAS2R14 ligand, with an increase in intracellular free Ca2+ concentration. The tastant-evoked Ca2+ signals were found to be mediated by wild-type TAS2R14 and heterotrimeric G proteins. We conclude that TAS2R14 serves as a chemosensory receptor in epidermal keratinocytes and hypothesize that it enables the cells to recognize potentially harmful chemical substances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hilary Kung-Yu Ho
- Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Institute of Medical Biology, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Paul Lorenz Bigliardi
- Department of Dermatology, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Olga Stelmashenko
- Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Institute of Medical Biology, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Srinivas Ramasamy
- Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Skin Research Institute Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Michael Postlethwaite
- Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Institute of Medical Biology, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Mei Bigliardi-Qi
- Department of Dermatology, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN, USA
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11
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Kurtz R, Steinberg LG, Betcher M, Fowler D, Shepard BD. The Sensing Liver: Localization and Ligands for Hepatic Murine Olfactory and Taste Receptors. Front Physiol 2020; 11:574082. [PMID: 33123030 PMCID: PMC7573564 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2020.574082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Sensory receptors, including olfactory receptors (ORs), taste receptors (TRs), and opsins (Opns) have recently been found in a variety of non-sensory tissues where they have distinct physiological functions. As G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), these proteins can serve as important chemosensors by sensing and interpreting chemical cues in the environment. We reasoned that the liver, the largest metabolic organ in the body, is primed to take advantage of some of these sensory receptors in order to sense and regulate blood content and metabolism. In this study, we report the expression of novel hepatic sensory receptors - including 7 ORs, 6 bitter TRs, and 1 Opn - identified through a systematic molecular biology screening approach. We further determined that several of these receptors are expressed within hepatocytes, the parenchymal cells of the liver. Finally, we uncovered several agonists of the previously orphaned hepatic ORs. These compounds fall under two classes: methylpyrazines and monoterpenes. In particular, the latter chemicals are plant and fungal-derived compounds with known hepatic protective effects. Collectively, this study sheds light on the chemosensory functions of the liver and unveils potentially important regulators of hepatic homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan Kurtz
- Department of Human Science, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Lily G Steinberg
- Department of Human Science, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Madison Betcher
- Department of Human Science, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Dalton Fowler
- Department of Human Science, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Blythe D Shepard
- Department of Human Science, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, United States
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Papacocea T, Papacocea R, Rădoi M, Pițuru S, Balan DG. Stomach 'tastes' the food and adjusts its emptying: A neurophysiological hypothesis (Review). Exp Ther Med 2020; 20:2392-2395. [PMID: 32765721 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2020.8874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Accepted: 06/01/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The presence of taste receptors and their secondary messengers in stomach raised the possibility that the stomach might play a role in food 'tasting' and consequently, it might initiate specific adaptations of its secretory and motor function. Furthermore, activated taste receptors release a variety of chemical mediators able to modulate the activity of the enteric nervous system (ENS), and also to influence both secretory and motor functions of the stomach. Based on the physiological fundamental structure of a reflex arch, the stimulation of the gastric taste receptors activates sensory neurons of the gastric wall, continues with motor neurons which initiate the contraction of the local smooth muscle fibers. Beyond this, compounds which act on different taste receptors initiate different responses, stimulatory or inhibitory. These interactions may be translated in the gastric ability to selectively evacuate different nutritive compounds into the duodenum. Consequently, sugars could be favored to the detriment of other compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toma Papacocea
- Department of Neurosurgery, 'St. Pantelimon' Emergency Hospital, 021659 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Raluca Papacocea
- Department of Physiology I, 'Carol Davila' University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Mugurel Rădoi
- Department of Neurosurgery, National Institute of Neurology and Neurovascular Diseases, 041914 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Silviu Pițuru
- Department of Dental Medicine II, 'Carol Davila' University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 010221 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Daniela Gabriela Balan
- Department of Physiology III, 'Carol Davila' University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
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Abstract
That the perceptual world of human taste is made up of four or five basic taste qualities is commonly accepted in the field of taste perception. Nevertheless, critics identify two issues that challenge this view. First, some argue that the term "basic tastes" cannot be precisely defined and, thus, is scientifically meaningless. Others accept the concept of basic tastes but believe there are many more. I argue here that it is most parsimonious to employ a perceptual definition of basic taste. I conclude that there are indeed four basic tastes (with a potential fifth) that constitute the building blocks of the human taste experience. Evidence cited includes historical writings from Chinese, Indian, and Greek cultures, ethnopharmacological research, and modern biological and psychological investigations. These perceptual "data" provide strong and convincing evidence, collected over thousands of years and from many different cultures, that the human perceptual world consists of the same basic taste qualities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gary K Beauchamp
- Monell Chemical Senses Center , 3500 Market Street , Philadelphia , Pennsylvania 19104 , United States
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14
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Luo M, Ni K, Jin Y, Yu Z, Deng L. Toward the Identification of Extra-Oral TAS2R Agonists as Drug Agents for Muscle Relaxation Therapies via Bioinformatics-Aided Screening of Bitter Compounds in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Front Physiol 2019; 10:861. [PMID: 31379593 PMCID: PMC6647893 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2019.00861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2019] [Accepted: 06/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Significant advances have been made in the past decade in mapping the distributions and the physiological functions of extra-oral bitter taste receptors (TAS2Rs) in non-gustatory tissues. In particular, it has been found that TAS2Rs are expressed in various muscle tissues and activation of TAS2Rs can lead to muscle cell relaxation, which suggests that TAS2Rs may be important new targets in muscle relaxation therapy for various muscle-related diseases. So far, however, there is a lack of potent extra-oral TAS2R agonists that can be used as novel drug agents in muscle relaxation therapies. Interestingly, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) often characterizes a drug’s property in terms of five distinct flavors (bitter, sweet, sour, salty, and pungent) according to its taste and function, and commonly regards “bitterness” as an intrinsic property of “good medicine.” In addition, many bitter flavored TCM are known in practice to cause muscle relaxation after long term use, and in lab experiments the compounds identified from some bitter flavored TCM do activate TAS2Rs and thus relax muscle cells. Therefore, it is highly possible to discover very useful extra-oral TAS2R agonists for muscle relaxation therapies among the abundant bitter compounds used in bitter flavored TCM. With this perspective, we reviewed in literature the distribution of TAS2Rs in different muscle systems with a focus on the map of bitter flavored TCM which can regulate muscle contractility and related functional chemical components. We also reviewed the recently established databases of TCM chemical components and the bioinformatics software which can be used for high-throughput screening and data mining of the chemical components associated with bitter flavored TCM. All together, we aim to present a knowledge-based approach and technological platform for identification or discovery of extra-oral TAS2R agonists that can be used as novel drug agents for muscle relaxation therapies through screening and evaluation of chemical compounds used in bitter flavored TCM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingzhi Luo
- Changzhou Key Laboratory of Respiratory Medical Engineering, Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Health Sciences, Changzhou University, Changzhou, China
| | - Kai Ni
- Changzhou Key Laboratory of Respiratory Medical Engineering, Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Health Sciences, Changzhou University, Changzhou, China
| | - Yang Jin
- Bioengineering College, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Zifan Yu
- Changzhou Key Laboratory of Respiratory Medical Engineering, Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Health Sciences, Changzhou University, Changzhou, China
| | - Linhong Deng
- Changzhou Key Laboratory of Respiratory Medical Engineering, Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Health Sciences, Changzhou University, Changzhou, China
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Vestena A, Piton Y, de Loretto Bordignon SA, Garcia S, Arbo MD, Zuanazzi JA, von Poser G. Hepatoprotective activity of Verbena litoralis, Verbena montevidensis and their main iridoid, brasoside. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2019; 239:111906. [PMID: 31028856 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2019.111906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2018] [Revised: 03/28/2019] [Accepted: 04/22/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Verbena montevidensis and Verbena litoralis are plants that present morphological similarities. They are both known as "gervão" and "fel-da-terra", among other popular names, and are used in folk medicine to treat diseases related to the liver and stomach. AIMS OF THE STUDY The aim of the current investigation was to determine the chemical composition and evaluate the hepatoprotective properties and cytotoxicity of the methanolic and aqueous extracts of V. montevidensis, V. litoralis and their main iridoid in HepG2 cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS Aqueous and methanolic extracts from the dried aerial parts of V. montevidensis and V. litoralis were obtained. The methanolic extract of V. montevidensis afforded an iridoid as the main compound. The extracts and isolated compound were examined for the hepatoprotective effect and cytotoxicity in human hepatoblastoma HepG2 cells by MTT reduction and neutral red uptake methods. RESULTS The methanolic and aqueous extracts of both species showed the presence of iridoid and phenylethanoids as the main compounds. The iridoid brasoside was isolated and identified by spectroscopic methods. The phenylethanoid was characterized by HPLC, comparing the UV profile and retention time with an authentic sample. The results of the biological assays indicate that both aqueous and methanolic extracts of V. montevidensis and V. litoralis as well as brasoside were hepatoprotective against ethanol-induced damage in HepG2 cells. The effect can be attributed to the main compounds present since both classes are recognized for this activity. CONCLUSIONS Our results contribute towards validation of the traditional use of V. montevidensis and V. litoralis in the treatment of liver disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelica Vestena
- Programa de Pós Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Yasmin Piton
- Programa de Pós Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | | | - Solange Garcia
- Programa de Pós Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Marcelo D Arbo
- Programa de Pós Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - José Angelo Zuanazzi
- Programa de Pós Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Gilsane von Poser
- Programa de Pós Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
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