Patent ID: 6875574
Filing Date: 2005-04-05
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
1. A method for identifying a compound that modulates signal transduction in taste cells, the method comprising the steps of: (i) contacting a cell which expresses a taste cell specific G-protein alpha subunit polypeptide and a taste cell specific G protein coupled receptor with the compound, the G-protein alpha subunit polypeptide comprising a sequence of SEQ ID NO:2; wherein the G-protein alpha subunit polypeptide is a subunit of a heterotrimeric G-protein which binds GTP and the G-protein alpha subunit polypeptide is recombinantly expressed in the cell, wherein the taste cell specific G protein coupled receptor comprises the amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs. 12, 13, and 14; and (ii) determining a functional effect of the compound upon the cell expressing the taste cell specific G-protein alpha subunit polypeptide and the taste cell specific G protein coupled receptor, thereby identifying a compound that modulates signal transduction in taste cells.