Patent ID: 8153386

Claim:
An in vitro assay for identifying a compound which potentially modulates a bitter taste receptor polypeptide selected from (i) the bitter taste receptor polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:12, and (ii) a bitter taste receptor polypeptide having at least 90% sequence identity to the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:12; wherein said bitter taste receptor polypeptide specifically interacts with or the activity of said bitter taste receptor polypeptide is enhanced or inhibited by at least one bitter ligand that modulates the activity of the bitter taste receptor polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:12, wherein said in vitro assay comprises: screening a compound for its ability to interact with said bitter taste receptor polypeptide or its effect if any on the activation of said bitter taste receptor polypeptide; and identifying said compound as a potential bitter taste modulator if it interacts with said bitter taste receptor polypeptide or enhances or inhibits the activation of said bitter taste receptor polypeptide.