TAS2R31 Gene

TAS2R31 and the adjacent TAS2R46 and TAS2R43 genes encode instructions for building three of the more than 20 different types of bitterness taste receptors in the taste buds of your tongue.

Alleles

People normally have two alleles per gene, one inherited from their mother and one inherited from their father.

Insensitive (Global)

This allele has been widespread globally for tens of thousands of years.

Sensitive (Global)

This allele has been widespread globally for tens of thousands of years.

Allele Pairs

It is the combination of a person's pair of gene alleles that influences traits.

Predictable Saccharin Less Bitter
Allele Pair People with this allele pair tend to taste saccharin as less bitter than those with one or two “Sensitive” alleles.
Predictable Saccharin More Bitter
Allele Pair People with these allele pairs usually taste saccharin as more bitter that those with two “Insensitive” alleles.

Gene Details

The TAS2R31 gene region is located on chromosome 12 and includes adjacent genes TAS2R46 and TAS2R43. All three encode proteins named "Taste receptor type 2 members 31, 46, and 43". TAS2R31 is the primary influence on saccharin bitterness, with TAS2R43 also having some influence. TAS2R46 is located in between, and all three genes are normally inherited together.

Additional References TAS2R31 TAS2R46 TAS2R43
Wikipedia TAS2R31 TAS2R46 TAS2R43
UniProt P59538 P59540 P59537
U.S. National Center for Biotechnology Information 259290 259292 259289

PubMed articles

Allele Definitions

[0] [1] [2] [3] [4]
Sensitive
T
A
A
T
G
C
G
C
C
G
Insensitive
C
G
G
C
G
C
G
C
T
A
Insensitive
C
G
A
T
C
G
C
G
T
A
Show Minus Strand
+
-
+
-
+
-
+
-
+
-
Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs)
[0] rs2708381 dbSNP SNPedia
[1] rs10845295 dbSNP SNPedia
[2] rs10845294 dbSNP SNPedia
[3] rs12318612 dbSNP SNPedia
[4] rs7135018 dbSNP SNPedia