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. 1994 Feb 1;297(Pt 3):451–454. doi: 10.1042/bj2970451

Some taste substances are direct activators of G-proteins.

M Naim 1, R Seifert 1, B Nürnberg 1, L Grünbaum 1, G Schultz 1
PMCID: PMC1137854  PMID: 8110180

Abstract

Amphiphilic substances may stimulate cellular events through direct activation of G-proteins. The present experiments indicate that several amphiphilic sweeteners and the bitter tastant, quinine, activate transducin and Gi/Go-proteins. Concentrations of taste substances required to activate G-proteins in vitro correlated with those used to elicit taste. These data support the hypothesis that amphiphilic taste substances may elicit taste through direct activation of G-proteins.

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Selected References

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