Taste receptor, type 2, member 31, also known asTAS2R31, is aprotein which in humans is encoded by theTAS2R31gene.[5] This bitter taste receptor has been shown to respond to saccharinin vitro.[6]
TAS2R31 is also expressed in thesmooth muscle of human airways, along with several other bitter taste receptors. Their activation in these cells causes an increase in intracellularcalcium ion, which in turn triggers the opening ofpotassium channels whichhyperpolarize the membrane and cause the smooth muscle to relax. Hence, activation of these receptors leads tobronchodilation.[7]
Bufe B, Hofmann T, Krautwurst D, Raguse JD, Meyerhof W (2002). "The human TAS2R16 receptor mediates bitter taste in response to beta-glucopyranosides".Nat. Genet.32 (3):397–401.doi:10.1038/ng1014.PMID12379855.S2CID20426192.
Conte C, Ebeling M, Marcuz A, Nef P, Andres-Barquin PJ (2003). "Identification and characterization of human taste receptor genes belonging to the TAS2R family".Cytogenet. Genome Res.98 (1):45–53.doi:10.1159/000068546.PMID12584440.S2CID1542970.
