T2R45 Activators

T2R45 is one of the many G protein-coupled receptors that form the complex family of bitter taste receptors. These receptors are primarily located on the surface of taste cells on the tongue, where they play a pivotal role in the sensory perception of bitterness. T2R45, like its relatives, is activated by a variety of structurally diverse compounds, which are generally perceived by humans as bitter. The ability to taste bitterness is believed to have evolved as a protective mechanism, allowing organisms to avoid the ingestion of potentially harmful substances. When bitter compounds bind to receptors like T2R45, they trigger a cascade of cellular events that result in the recognition of a substance as bitter. The expression of T2R45 can be influenced by the presence of specific bitter compounds in the environment, which can lead to an increase in the receptor's presence on the surface of taste cells.

Certain chemical compounds have been identified as activators that can induce the expression of T2R45. For instance, denatonium benzoate, often cited as the most bitter substance known, is likely to stimulate the expression of this receptor due to its profound bitterness. Similarly, compounds such as quinine, which is found in tonic water, and propylthiouracil, a chemical known for its bitter taste and used in genetic taste testing, can also serve as activators of T2R45. Other compounds like caffeine and nicotine, despite having additional physiological effects, are recognized for their bitter taste and have the potential to increase the expression of T2R45. The ability of these compounds to influence T2R45 expression is not only interesting from a biological perspective but also underscores the intricate relationship between the chemical composition of substances and the sensory responses they elicit. Such insights contribute to our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying taste and the factors that can alter the expression of taste receptors.