Recombinant Pan troglodytes Taste receptor type 2 member 8 (TAS2R8)
Description
Bitter Taste Perception
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Oral Detection: Localized to taste bud cells, TAS2R8 initiates bitter taste transduction via G-protein α-gustducin, triggering PLCβ2 activation and calcium signaling through TRPM5 channels .
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Broad Ligand Specificity: Responds to diverse bitter compounds, including toxins and pharmaceuticals, though exact agonists for chimpanzee TAS2R8 remain under investigation (inferred from human TAS2R8 studies) .
Extraoral Functions
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Gastrointestinal Sensing: Modulates gut motility, hormone secretion (e.g., GLP-1), and nutrient absorption .
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Immune Regulation: Detects bacterial quorum-sensing molecules in the gut and airways, influencing immune responses .
Recombinant Expression
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Host Systems: Optimized for cell-free expression (≥85% purity) or heterologous systems like E. coli and mammalian cells .
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Storage: Stable in Tris-based buffer with 50% glycerol at -20°C/-80°C; avoid freeze-thaw cycles .
Research Applications
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Cancer Studies: Human TAS2R8 overexpression suppresses cancer stemness (e.g., neuroblastoma) by downregulating DLK1, CD133, and Sox2 .
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Drug Development: Used to screen TAS2R8 antagonists like S6821/S7958, which block bitterness in pharmaceuticals .
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Evolutionary Genetics: Comparative studies reveal subspecies-specific TAS2R diversification in chimpanzees (e.g., CNVs in P. t. schweinfurthii) .
Genetic Diversity in Chimpanzees
Subspecies of Pan troglodytes exhibit marked TAS2R haplotype variations:
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Western Chimpanzees (P. t. verus): Balancing selection drives receptor diversity .
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Eastern Chimpanzees (P. t. schweinfurthii): Purifying selection dominates in "human cluster" TAS2Rs .
Key Findings:
Interaction Network
TAS2R8 collaborates with signaling partners in taste and extraoral tissues:
| Protein | Role in TAS2R8 Signaling |
|---|---|
| GNAT3 | Gα-gustducin subunit; activates PDE1A/PLCβ2 |
| TRPM5 | Calcium-activated cation channel |
| PLCB2 | Mediates IP3 production for calcium release |
| TAS1R3 | Co-expressed in umami/sweet taste transduction |
Challenges and Future Directions
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Ligand Identification: High-throughput screens needed to map chimpanzee-specific TAS2R8 agonists/antagonists.
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Therapeutic Potential: Explore roles in metabolic disorders (e.g., TAS2R8-linked gut-brain axis modulation) .
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Evolutionary Insights: Link receptor diversification to ecological adaptations in wild chimpanzee populations .
Product Specs
Note: We prioritize shipping the format currently in stock. However, if you have a specific format requirement, please indicate it when placing your order, and we will accommodate your request.
Note: All our proteins are shipped with standard blue ice packs. If dry ice shipping is required, please inform us in advance as additional charges will apply.
Generally, liquid forms have a shelf life of 6 months at -20°C/-80°C. Lyophilized forms maintain their stability for 12 months at -20°C/-80°C.
Target Background
STRING: 9598.ENSPTRP00000008012
