Variation in haplotype frequencies of the TAS2R38 gene, associated with the perception of bitter taste
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.56294/saludcyt20251026Keywords:
Haplotypes, T2R38 taste receptor, human, taste perception, genetic variationAbstract
Introduction: Bitter taste perception is a genetic trait that influences food preferences and alcohol consumption behavior. This study investigates the variation in haplotype frequencies of the TAS2R38 gene, associated with sensitivity to bitter compounds, in 26 populations from diverse geographic regions. Three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are analyzed: rs713598, rs1726866 and rs10246939, which determine haplotypes such as PAV and AVI.
Objectives: The objective is to analyze the variation in haplotype frequencies of the TAS2R38 gene, which is associated with bitter taste perception, in 26 populations.
Methods: Data from the 1000 Genomes Project were used, analyzing 5,008 genotyped chromosomes from 26 populations grouped into five macro-populations: African, American, East Asian, European and South Asian. Haplotype and diplotype frequencies were calculated, assessing Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium by Chi-square test (p<0.05) using R software.
Results: The results showed that the overall frequency of TAS2R38 diplotypes is 32% for PAV/PAV, 44% for PAV/AVI and 24% for AVI/AVI. African populations presented a high frequency of PAV/AVI (46.4%), while European populations showed a higher prevalence of AVI/AVI (31.5%). Significant deviations in observed versus expected frequencies were identified.
Conclusions: The variation in haplotype frequencies of the TAS2R38 gene reflects evolutionary adaptation to different dietary environments. These findings suggest that bitter taste genetics may influence food preferences and consumption behavior
References
1. Boxer EE, Garneau NL. Rare haplotypes of the gene TAS2R38 confer bitter taste sensitivity in humans. SpringerPlus. 2015;4:505. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40064-015-1277-z
2. Calancie L, Keyserling TC, Taillie LS, Robasky K, Patterson C, Ammerman AS, Schisler JC. TAS2R38 Predisposition to Bitter Taste Associated with Differential Changes in Vegetable Intake in Response to a Community-Based Dietary Intervention. G3 (Bethesda, Md.). 2018;8(6):2107–2119. https://doi.org/10.1534/g3.118.300547
3. Martin LT, Nachtigal MW, Selman T, Nguyen E, Salsman J, Dellaire G, Dupré DJ. Bitter taste receptors are expressed in human epithelial ovarian and prostate cancers cells and noscapine stimulation impacts cell survival. Mol Cell Biochem. 2019;454(1-2):203–214. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11010-018-3464-z
4. Hayes JE, Bartoshuk LM, Kidd JR, Duffy VB. Supertasting and PROP bitterness depends on more than the TAS2R38 gene. Chem Senses. 2008;33(3):255–265. https://doi.org/10.1093/chemse/bjm084
5. Fu D, Riordan S, Kieran S, Andrews RA, Ring HZ, Ring BZ. Complex relationship between TAS2 receptor variations, bitterness perception, and alcohol consumption observed in a population of wine consumers. Food Funct. 2019;10(3):1643–1652. https://doi.org/10.1039/c8fo01578c
6. Risso DS, Kozlitina J, Sainz E, Gutierrez J, Wooding S, Getachew B, Luiselli D, Berg CJ, Drayna D. Genetic Variation in the TAS2R38 Bitter Taste Receptor and Smoking Behaviors. PLoS One. 2016;11(10)
. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0164157
7. Ramos-Lopez O, Roman S, Martinez-Lopez E, Gonzalez-Aldaco K, Ojeda-Granados C, Sepulveda-Villegas M, Panduro A. Association of a novel TAS2R38 haplotype with alcohol intake among Mexican-Mestizo population. Ann Hepatol. 2015;14(5):729–734. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1665-2681(19)30768-9
8. Duffy VB, Davidson AC, Kidd JR, Kidd KK, Speed WC, Pakstis AJ, Reed DR, Snyder DJ, Bartoshuk LM. Bitter receptor gene (TAS2R38), 6-n-propylthiouracil (PROP) bitterness and alcohol intake. Alcohol Clin Exp Res. 2004;28(11):1629–1637. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.alc.0000145789.55183.d4
9. Mennella JA, Pepino MY, Duke FF, Reed DR. Age modifies the genotype-phenotype relationship for the bitter receptor TAS2R38. BMC Genet. 2010;11:60. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2156-11-60
10. Reed DR, Tanaka T, McDaniel AH. Diverse tastes: Genetics of sweet and bitter perception. Physiol Behav. 2006;88(3):215–226. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physbeh.2006.05.033
11. Shaw L, Mansfield C, Colquitt L, Lin C, Ferreira J, Emmetsberger J, Reed DR. Personalized expression of bitter 'taste' receptors in human skin. PLoS One. 2018;13(10)
. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0205322
12. Calò C, Padiglia A, Zonza A, Corrias L, Contu P, Tepper BJ, Barbarossa IT. Polymorphisms in TAS2R38 and the taste bud trophic factor, gustin gene co-operate in modulating PROP taste phenotype. Physiol Behav. 2011;104(5):1065–1071. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physbeh.2011.06.013
13. Risso DS, Mezzavilla M, Pagani L, Robino A, Morini G, Tofanelli S, Carrai M, Campa D, Barale R, Caradonna F, Gasparini P, Luiselli D, Wooding S, Drayna D. Global diversity in the TAS2R38 bitter taste receptor: revisiting a classic evolutionary PROPosal. Sci Rep. 2016;6:25506. https://doi.org/10.1038/srep25506
14. Keller KL, Olsen A, Cravener TL, Bloom R, Chung WK, Deng L, Lanzano P, Meyermann K. Bitter taste phenotype and body weight predict children's selection of sweet and savory foods at a palatable test-meal. Appetite. 2014;77:113–121. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2014.02.019
15. Kurshed AAM, Ádány R, Diószegi J. The Impact of Taste Preference-Related Gene Polymorphisms on Alcohol Consumption Behavior: A Systematic Review. Int J Mol Sci. 2022;23(24):15989. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms232415989
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Sergio V. Flores, Angel Roco-Videla, Raúl Aguilera-Eguía (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
The article is distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License. Unless otherwise stated, associated published material is distributed under the same licence.