People with asthma or COPD might one day benefit from new treatments that trigger bitter taste receptors.
Interestingly, bitter taste receptors are not just found in the mouth but also in other parts of the body, such as the airways. When activated, these receptors can open lung passages, making them a possible target for treating asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In a recent study published in ACS’ Journal of Medicinal Chemistryresearchers have developed a powerful and selective compound that could pave the way for potential therapies.
Among the 25 different types of bitter taste receptors, the TAS2R14 subtype is one of the most widely distributed in tissues outside the mouth. Scientists are uncertain about the structure of the receptor, and they haven’t identified the particular compound or “ligand” in the body that activates it. However, a few synthetic compounds, such as the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) flufenamic DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01997
The authors acknowledge funding from the German Research Foundation.
