TASTE RECEPTOR INTERNALIZATION ASSAY [01] Each reference cited in this disclosure is incorporated herein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[02] This disclosure relates generally to assays useful for identifying taste receptor

modulators.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[03] FIG. 1. Reb A treatment induces T2R14 internalization ("Ring" assay) in NCI-H716 cells. Immunofluorescence staining of T2R14 (ThermoFisher) in NCI-H716 cells.

[04] FIG. 2. Percentage of "Ring"-positive cells upon treatment with RebA (means ± SD).

[05] FIGS. 3A-B. Ring-formation assay, T1R2 internalization. FIG. 3 A,

Immunofluorescence staining of T1R2 (ThermoFisher) in NCI-H716 cells. FIG. 3B, Percentage of "Ring"-positive cells (means ± SD). Recycling of T1R2 receptor correlates with decreased number of "Ring"-positive cells.

[06] FIGS. 4A-B. GLUT4 is a common receptor for artificial sweeteners. FIG. 4A,

Immunofluorescence staining of GLUT4 (Sigma) in NCI-H716 cells. FIG. 4B,

Percentage of "Ring"-positive cells (means ± SD).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

1. Taste Receptor Internalization Assay ("Ring Assay")

[07] This disclosure provides an assay for measuring taste receptor internalization. This assay, described in the specific examples, below, and shown schematically in FIG. 1, is very robust and accurately quantifies both T2R14 (a bitter receptor) and T1R2 (sweet taste receptor) localization, the assay can be used to identify sweet molecules as well as bitter blockers, and is particularly well-suited to use in high-throughput assays.

[08] The internalization assay disclosed herein, also called a "ring assay," detects

localization of receptors using antibodies specific for the receptors. A first detectable label, specific for nucleic acid (e.g. , DAPI, Hoechst 33342, DRAQ5, DRAQ7, DRAQ9), is used to label cell nuclei; this labeling provides information such as the number of cells in a field and differentiates between the nuclear (e.g. , DAPI-positive) and cytoplasmic (e.g. , DAPI-negative) compartments. Antibodies which specifically bind to a taste receptor are used in conjunction with secondary antibodies conjugated with a second detectable label which can be differentiated from the first detectable label (e.g. , FITC, TRITC, Cy3, Cy5, Alexa 350, 488, 546, 555, 568, 594, 633, 647). Diffuse circle staining is observed in the absence of a stimulus (e.g. , in the presence of buffer alone). In the presence of a stimulus, however, a "ring" of internalized receptors is visualized. In some embodiments, ring-positive cells are calculated by correlation coefficient for pixel values of the nuclear and receptor signals. The extent of internalization can be expressed as percentage (mean ± SD) of cells showing a continuous ring staining from multiple (e.g. , quadruplicate) data points. i. Sweet taste receptor

[09] In some embodiments, the ring assay is used to detect internalization of e.g. , T1R2, T1R3, or GLUT4. Co-expression of T1R2 and T1R3 results in a taste receptor that responds to sweet taste stimuli, including naturally occurring and artificial sweeteners. Sweet ligands bind to the T1R2/T1R3 receptor and activate G-protein pathway transduction, which includes receptor internalization and intracellular calcium mobilization, as well as induction of down-stream targets such as the phosphorylation of ER l/2. Sweet taste receptors are described, for example, in U.S. Patent

7,402,400. Antibodies which specifically bind to sweet taste receptors are

commercially available or can be generated using methods well known in the art. ii. Bitter taste receptors

[10] In some embodiments, the ring assay is used to detect internalization of a bitter

receptor, such as, e.g. , T2R1 , T2R3, T2R4, T2R5,T2R7, T2R8,T2R9, T2R10J2R13, T2R14,T2R16, T2R38J2R39, T2R40J2R41 , T2R42,T2R43, T2R44 (T2R31), T2R45, T2R46,T2R47 (T2R30), T2R48 (T2R19), T2R49 (T2R20), T2R50, and T2R60. Expression of T2R14 and other bitter receptors results in a taste receptor that responds to bitter taste stimuli, including bitter aspects of naturally occurring and artificial sweeteners. Bitter ligands bind to bitter receptors and activate G-protein pathway transduction, which includes receptor internalization and intracellular calcium mobilization, as well as induction of down- stream targets. Bitter taste receptors are described, for example, in U.S. Patent 7,022,488. Antibodies which specifically bind to bitter receptors are commercially available or can be generated using methods well known in the art. iii. Test Compounds

[11] Test compounds can be naturally occurring or synthetically produced. Proteins,

polypeptides, peptides, polysaccharides, and small molecules are examples of test compounds that can be screened using methods disclosed herein. iv. Cells

[12] Any cell that comprises or can be engineered to comprise a functional taste receptor can be used in a ring assay. In some embodiments, NCI-H716 cells are used (ATCC catalog # CCL-251). These cells express the bitter receptors T2R1, T2R3, T2R4, T2R5,T2R7, T2R8J2R9, T2R10J2R13, T2R14,T2R16, T2R38,T2R39,

T2R40,T2R41, T2R42J2R43, T2R44 (T2R31), T2R45, T2R46J2R47 (T2R30), T2R48 (T2R19), T2R49 (T2R20), T2R50, and T2R60, the sweet receptor

T1R2/T1R3, a-gustducin, and the glucose transporter GLUT4. Other cells can be engineered to express T2R14, T1R2/T1R3 a-gustducin, and/or GLUT4 using methods well known in the art. GLUT4 is described, inter alia, in U.S. Patent 7,799,538 and references cited therein. See U.S. Patent 8,338,115 and references cited therein and Adler et al., Cell 100, 693-702, 2000 for descriptions of a-gustducin.

[13] Other cells that can be used in the disclosed assay include, but are not limited to, 1 A2, ARH-77, RWPE-1, WI-38, EJM, NCI-H1155, L-1236, NCI-H526, JM1, SHP-77, SNU-878, NCI-H2196, C3A, CA46, SNU-466, KS-1, SNU-738, MOLP-2, HDLM-2, Pfeiffer, HCC-15, Alexander cells, L-540, KMS-12-BM, JK-1, NCI-H1092, SW 1990, NCI-H1184, SU-DHL-1, Hep 3B2.1-7, P3HR-1, NCI-H2029, SU-DHL-5, SNU-1, MOLP-8, SUP-M2, MONO-MAC- 1, SNU-1040, KYM-1, HEC-59,

HCC1569, OCI-LY3, Hs 819.T, DU4475, CI-1, S-117, OVCAR-8, SNU-626, HL-60, SUIT-2, T3M-4, RKO, MOR/CPR, DK-MG, GA-10, OCUM-1, HCT-15, HT, MONO-MAC-6, G-402, Toledo, COV362, SU-DHL-8, Daoy, NCI-H1435, LS513, Hs 839.T, Hs 172.T, BT-483, KMS-21BM, AGS, NCI-H2172, LC-l/sq-SF, SNU- 201, NUGC-4, SK-HEP-1, SUP-B15, SNU-5, HT-1197, SUP-T1, AMO-1, KU812, AN3 CA, AML-193, VMRC-RCW, HLE, HuH28, Hs 751.T, NCI-H2110, MEG-01, MV-4-11, Hep G2, KYSE-30, KALS-1, BICR 6, RMUG-S, JHH-6, Ki-JK, IST- MES1, HCC-95, HPB-ALL, HSC-3, 697, LOU-NH91, KARPAS-299, GI-1, COLO 792, SK-N-FI, D341 Med, HGC-27, SR-786, COLO-818, MHH-CALL-2, SF126, NCI-H322, A-253, NCI-H1623, MCF7, HCC-44, FU97, OCI-LY-19, Hs 766T, NCI- H522, RL, HCC1428, RPMI 6666, U-937, NCI-H460, SW 1088, NCI-H1792, NCI- H1693, UACC-257, JHUEM-2, HuT 78, UACC-893, NCI-H929, A-704, OV56, LN- 229, OE19, SK-MEL-24, RD-ES, NCI-H211, KCI-MOH1, NCI-H1963, Hs 706.T, ChaGo-K-1, EPLC-272H, OPM-2, KHM-1B, A549, HuGl-N, NCI-H508, MHH- CALL-3, SNU-1076, A3/KAW, MEL-HO, TO 175.T, Caki-1, Hs 936.T, SK-LU-1, WM-983B, K-562, EFE-184, SNU-520, NCI-H2291, HCC-1195, ABC-1, KE-39, NH-6, HCC2218, CMK, RS4;11, KYSE-450, OV7, KYSE-510, SK-UT-1, SNU-Cl, OE33, P12-ICHIKAWA, DLD-1, COV434, HuNSl, SNU-899, SW480, COLO-678, LU99, KOPN-8, NCI-H2227, SW1463, Hs 675.T, JHH-4, NCI-H1703, HEC-l-A, BDCM, MIA PaCa-2, PC-3, TE-15, PK-45H, MKN-45, HCC-366, CAL-29, HEC- 50B, CPC-N, KMRC-20, SW1116, EOL-1, COLO 205, EHEB, YD-38, MCI 16, SK- N-BE(2), BV-173, NCI-H2347, LU65, RT4, U-87 MG, LK-2, KP-N-YN, HEC-251, NCI-H1651, GP2d, RERF-LC-MS, NB-4, NCI-H2286, SNU-61, T-47D, huH-1, KYSE-180, ST486, SW 1353, M-07e, KASUMI-1, YH-13, NCI-H28, GAMG, JeKo-

1, GOS-3, SNU-324, PA-TU-8902, MFE-280, SNU-245, NALM-1, RERF-LC-Sql, BICR 22, ZR-75-1, COR-L23, SW579, COR-L88, KM12, Hs 611.T, OUMS-23, RERF-LC-Adl, NCI-H1385, SK-LMS-1, COLO-320, BL-70, GRANTA-519, MCAS, Pane 08.13, AM-38, KMS-11, SIG-M5, SNU-407, JHOS-2, OVCAR-4, Set-

2, OV-90, MeWo, HEL, HT-29, MDA-MB-231, TOV-21G, NCI-H1355, KMS-27, NALM-6, KMS-26, Caov-4, KASUMI-2, UACC-62, U266B1, Hs 695T, HT55, BICR 31, TCC-PAN2, KMS-20, Hs 578T, RI-1, Hs 606.T, NCI-H1341, THP-1, BCP-1, Hs 737.T, SW1417, MOLT-4, Raji, ESS-1, MEL-JUSO, SH-10-TC, Hs 683, ME-1, EB2, PLC/PRF/5, NCI-H1339, A4/Fuk, SEM, HEC-265, IST-MES2, KE-97, NCI-H1437, COLO-704, NCI-H1915, TE-5, NCI-H2023, NCI-H82, Tl-73, SNU- 840, HuT 102, NCI-H1944, KYSE-520, Kasumi-6, 1321N1, Hs 742.T, IM95, PL45, CL-40, WM1799, KMM-1, SNU-449, JHUEM-1, KARPAS-620, Loucy, SNU-1079, Daudi, HCC-56, HSC-2, COR-L47, PA-TU-8988S, OAW28, COR-L311, L-363, Malme-3M, NOMO-1, Hs 870.T, SU-DHL-10, Hs 229.T, NCI-H810, KYSE-410, RPMI-8402, SNU-175, EBC-1, RVH-421, K029AX, PA-TU-8988T, LXF-289, OVSAHO, CAL-12T, Hs 940.T, MM1-S, SUP-HD1, LNCaP clone FGC, HSC-4, NU-DHL-1, NCI-H2228, BEN, CAL-78, Sq-1, NCI-H1793, SNU-C2A, MDA-MB- 134-VI, COV318, KE-37, TYK-nu, MOTN-1, T98G, SW837, EB1, Becker, PE/CA- PJ34 (clone C12), Hs 616.T, NCI-H446, WM-88, CHP-126, Calu-1, SNU-283, NCI- HI 573, SW 1271, SNU-16, JHOS-4, ACHN, Calu-3, KMRC-1, SW 1783, TE-11, TE-9, HuH-6, P31/FUJ, HT-1376, NCI-H520, 786-0, KNS-60, Caki-2, OVK18, PL- 21, NCI-H2452, JURL-MK1, TEN, JHH-7, MDA-MB-157, Calu-6, RKN, NUGC-2, ONS-76, J82, OUMS-27, SNU-1196, Hs 739.T, RPMI-7951, NCI-H854, JHH-5, JVM-2, Hey-A8, 5637, KYSE-140, Capan-2, KYSE-150, HEC-l-B, BICR 16, HEL 92.1.7, MHH-NB-11, SNU-387, SK-OV-3, SK-MEL-28, IGROV1, ML-1, HLF-a, CHL-1, YKGl, A-204, OCI-M1, 8505C, JVM-3, NCI-H647, DB, COLO-800, PK-59, FaDu, HLF, OVMANA, EFO-27, PF-382, NCI-H747, LS123, SU-DHL-6, SJRH30, PANC-1, NCI-H2342, KM-H2, DND-41, HH, HuCCTl, F-36P, DMS 454, Hs 274.T, AU565, NCI-H1666, EN, RH-41, NCI-H1373, NCI-H838, SK-MEL-30, MOLM-6, DEL, NCI-H226, NCI-H1648, NCI-H661, 143B, Mino, C32, KMS-34, NCI-H1694, SK-ES-1, UACC-812, GDM-1, NCI-H23, Pane 02.03, CCF-STTG1, LOX IMVI, SJSA-1, MDST8, PK-1, NCI-H716, SU-DHL-4, MPP 89, MJ, COLO 829, PE/CA- PJ15, HD-MY-Z, BxPC-3, WM-793, COLO 668, T84, JHOM-1, PEER, LS411N, GMS-10, KMBC-2, RMG-I, KELLY, SNU-761, NALM-19, HEC-151, G-361, OVTOKO, A-498, SW 900, LCLC-103H, FTC-133, QGP-1, Reh, CMK-11-5, NU- DUL-1, BT-20, Hs 600.T, Hs 604.T, KATO III, SNU-410, NCI-H2126, SK-MEL-5, MDA-MB-468, AsPC-1, HUP-T3, KP-N-SI9s, L-428, SNU-1105, HUP-T4, 769-P, LMSU, NCI-H1869, NC02, MOLM-16, CAL 27, HCC70, NCI-H1930, COV644, Hs 863.T, HCC-2279, D283 Med, Hs 944.T, HCC1599, MDA-MB-415, HCC2157, NCI- H1618, SNU-308, HCC1954, DMS 153, HPAF-II, T24, CJM, VM-CUBl, UM-UC-3, LAMA-84, NCI-H1734, JHH-2, VMRC-RCZ, MFE-319, MDA-MB-453, SNU-503, TOV-112D, B-CPAP, GSU, HCC-78, NCI-H2171, CAMA-1, HEC-108, HCC4006, CAL-85-1, NCI-H2122, COLO-699, NCI-H196, LUDLU-1, SW 780, RPMI 8226, LP-1, PC-14, HuTu 80, T.T, SW948, 22Rvl, HARA, NCI-H596, IPC-298, SCaBER, NCI-H1838, NB-1, Hs 934.T, Hs 895.T, DMS 114, KYSE-70, KP-3, KP4, DAN-G, NCI-H2009, OC 316, SCC-25, U-138 MG, RCC10RGB, MFE-296, NCI-H1755, RERF-LC-KJ, 8305C, WSU-DLCL2, ES-2, MSTO-211H, SCC-15, ZR-75-30, PSNl, SNU-423, NCI-H2106, TE-1, UT-7, KMS-28BM, NCI-H2081, SK-MM-2, COLO 741, OC 314, HCC1395, MOLT-13, LN-18, Pane 10.05, PE/CA-PJ41 (clone D2), Hs 746T, CW-2, SKM-1, NUGC-3, TE-10, NCI-H358, NCI-H69, BFTC-909, HOS, BICR 18, NCI-H1395, OVKATE, Hs 698.T, EFM-19, COLO-783, MHH-CALL-4, ACC-MESO-1, NCI-H1436, KP-N-RT-BM-1, SK-MEL-31, NCI-H1105, CAL-51, YD-15, NCI-H2085, NCI-H2444, HCC1187, Hs 939.T, CAL-120, SCC-9,

TUHR14TKB, KMRC-2, KG-l-C, ECC10, CGTH-W-1, NCI-H841, C2BBel, SUP- Tl l, RCH-ACV, CADO-ES1, JURKAT, 647-V, SK-MEL-2, MDA-MB-175-VII, MKN74, SNU-C4, LCLC-97TM1, SCC-4, BHY, IGR-37, KYO-1, Hs 281.T, TT, TUHR4TKB, HT-1080, NCI-H660, TE 441.T, LS1034, KNS-42, Pane 04.03, HCC1419, AZ-521, SNG-M, NCI-N87, G-292, clone A141B1, KPL-1, MDA-MB- 361, CL-14, NCI-H2170, HuH-7, RD, NCI-H2066, IGR-1, TE-14, VCaP, BL-41, SNU-620, SK-MES-1, MEC-2, NCI-H1299, IGR-39, RT112/84, SF-295, DV-90, A2780, BICR 56, NCI-H510, NCI-H2141, YD-8, NCI-H2405, TF-1, MEC-1, CCK- 81, NCI-H1048, Hs 822.T, NCI-H2052, K052, CAL-54, Hs 840.T, SW620, SK-CO- 1, BT-474, CL-11, KNS-62, NCI-H1650, G-401, MOLT-16, SNU-398, COLO-680N, EM-2, Hs 294T, CAL-62, KMRC-3, A101D, KG-1, BT-549, HT115, A-375, SW- 1710, WM-115, KLE, JHUEM-3, MKN7, CHP-212, HCC202, BC-3C, NCI-H1568, KMS-18, PE/CA-PJ49, COLO-849, SIMA, OCI-AML3, GSS, EC-GI-10, EFO-21, RCM-1, DMS 273, KU-19-19, RERF-GC-IB, SH-4, SK-MEL-3, RERF-LC-Ad2, M059K, JHOM-2B, MDA PCa 2b, Hs 852.T, RL95-2, Pane 03.27, SNU-216, Pane 02.13, CFPAC-1, SK-N-SH, OCI-AML2, LoVo, SBC-5, NCI-H1876, NCI-H441, SK-N-AS, COR-L24, HCC38, NCI-H1781, DOHH-2, NCI-H1563, U-251 MG, HP AC, JIMT-1, U-2 OS, A-673, TC-71, NCI-H650, NIH:OVCAR-3, CAS-1, JL-1, SK-MEL-1, MDA-MB-435S, Ishikawa (Heraklio) 02 ER-, TE 617.T, SU.86.86, RERF-LC-AI, TT2609-C02, LS 180, YAPC, HDQ-P1, KNS-81, FU-OV-1, KP-2, DMS 53, SNU-1272, Detroit 562, 42-MG-BA, L3.3, COLO-679, NCI-H2087, NCI- H2030, GCT, NCI-H889, Caov-3, MDA-MB-436, NCI-H524, MKNl, KCL-22, Capan-1, CML-T1, H4, NCI-H727, Hs 343.T, MHH-ES-1, NMC-G1, HCC-1171, REC-1, Hs 618.T, A172, YD-10B, SW48, MUTZ-5, TE-6, JHH-1, HCT 116, TE-4, IA-LM, MG-63, NCI-H1975, TALL-1, HCC1806, HMCB, SCLC-21H, HCC1500, CL-34, Pane 05.04, SW403, TM-31, HCC1937, JMSU-1, DMS 79, SNB-19, NCI- H1836, Li-7, HCC827, 639-V, MOLM-13, SK-BR-3, IMR-32, TUHR10TKB, OAW42, SK-N-MC, TGBC11TKB, NCI-H1581, EFM-192A, YMB-1, HCC2935, ECC12, HCC-33, DU 145, NCI-H146, SNU-1214, SNU-1077, 23132/87, HT-144, SNU-182, Hs 888.T, SNU-475, GCIY, Hs 729, JHOC-5, SW 1573, HEC-6, OCI- AML5, Hs 688(A).T, Hs 821.T, PCM6, RT-1 12, SK-N-DZ, SNU-478, SNU-1 19, HCC 1 143, NCI-H209, 8-MG-BA, COR-L105, COR-L95, SNU-46, COV504, CAL- 148, SNU-C5, DBTRG-05MG, BHT-101 , WM-266-4, BFTC-905, KYSE-270, TE-8, SNU-213, U2-OS, and SH-SY5Y.

2. Ring Assays Using NCI-H716 Cells

[14] In some embodiments, NCI-H716 cells are used to detect cellular responses to

potential bitter blockers. NCI-H716 cells are contacted with a test compound.

Internalization of a bitter receptor in the presence of the test compound indicates the test compound is a potential bitter taste modulator. Bitter taste modulators can be included in various consumables, including foods, beverages, and pharmaceuticals.

[15] In some embodiments, NCI-H716 cells are used to detect cellular responses to sweet tastants (e.g., molecules which themselves evoke a sweet taste or which enhance a sweet taste). NCI-H716 cells are contacted with a test compound. Internalization of T1R2 indicates the test compound is a sweet molecule. Sweet molecules can be included in various consumables, including foods, beverages, and pharmaceuticals.

EXAMPLE 1

High-content imaging assay for T2R14 internalization

[16] Cell culture, Materials. NCI-H716 cell were grown in RPMI1690 media

supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum. Cells were seeded at density of 20,000 cells/well on PDL-coated 384-well plates. Rabbit anti-T2R14 antibodies and rabbit anti-TlR2 antibodies were from ThermoFisher. Alexa 488-conjugated antibodies and Hoechst 33342 were from Life Technology.

[17] Compound Treatment. 20,000 cells in PBS+10%FBS were plated on clear-bottom, PDL-coated, black-wall 384-well plates suitable for HCA imaging. For T2R14 studies compounds were added to the cells. Stock solutions of all compounds were diluted in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and used at 10 mM. Control groups of cells also received DMSO (0.1 %) in medium. [18] Ring Assays. NCI-H716 cells were stimulated with RebA (Purecircle) at 10 mM for indicating time points at 37°C. The cells were then fixed and processed for indirect immunofluorescence with antibodies against bitter receptor T2R14. All images were acquired with a 20x objective using ImageXpress Micro automated microscope.

Hoechst 33342 staining is pseudo-colored blue and antibody specific staining is pseudo-colored green. Overlaid images indicate diffuse circle staining upon treatment with buffer; treatment of NCI-H716 cells with Reb A resulted in "Ring"-staining. "Ring"-positive cells were calculated by correlation coefficient for pixel values of the Hoechst 33342 (nuclear) and FITC (T2R14) signals. The extent of internalization is expressed as the percentage (means ± S.D.) of cells showing a continuous "Ring" staining from quadruplicate data points. Recycling of T2R14 receptor correlates with decreased number of "Ring"-positive cells.

[19] Statistical analyses and graphs were made with Tibco Spotfire or GraphPad Prism.

[20] In the ring assay assay, when T2R14 receptors are stained with specific antibodies, we observed the majority of T2R14 receptors at the cell surface, which resulted in a diffuse circle staining. When the cells were treated with RebA or RebC, receptor internalization and trafficking of T2R14 occurred, resulting in "Ring"-staining. Using Multiwaves Translocation scoring analysis algorithm (Molecular Devices), we demonstrated that T2R14 internalization increases after stimulation of NCI-H716 cells with RebA or RebC. In contrast, the internalization was not observed upon treatment with RebD. This example demonstrates a link between high-content imaging cell-based assays and sensory data, thereby providing an in vitro mechanism- based approach that can be used to discover novel bitter blockers. The results are shown in FIG. 2.

EXAMPLE 2

High-content imaging assay for T1R2 internalization

[21] We investigated the effects of sweet compounds on the human enteroendocrine cell line NCI-H716 that endogenously expresses sweet receptor T1R2/T1R3 and a- gustducin. Untreated NCI-H716 cells expressed T1R2 receptors at the cell-surface. Treatment with D-glucose induced T1R2 receptor internalization, resulting in typical "Ring"-staining (FIG. 3A). Using Multiwaves Translocation Module, we quantitated internalization of endogenous T1R2 in NCI-H716 cells treated with sweet-tasting compounds. T1R2 internalization increased after stimulation with D-glucose, D- fructose, sucrose, sucralose, aspartame, and Ace-K, whereas T1R2 internalization process was not observed upon treatment with saccharine (FIG. 3B).

[22] A correlation was observed between the molecular structures of sugars and T1R2- recycling routes. Thus, T1R2 recycled back to the cell membrane very quickly upon treatment with monosaccharaides, D-glucose and D-fructose, whereas slow T1R2- recycling was observed with the disaccharide sucrose and its analog sucralose (FIG. 3B).

EXAMPLE 3

High-content imaging assay for GLUT4 internalization

[23] Recently, sensory and animal studies provided evidence that additional receptors to sweet taste may exist, especially responsive to artificial compounds, such as saccharine. We hypothesized that glucose transporter GLUT4 (Entrez Gene # 6517) might be an upstream molecule in saccharine signaling in NCI-H716 cells. GLUT4 is expressed preferentially in T1R3 -positive taste cells and GLUT4 internalization is a key mechanism for the regulation of glucose uptake in the absence of insulin. NCI- H716 cells express endogenous GLUT4 (Oncomine database), which may mediate the observed Ca ⁽²⁺⁾ response in these cell lines.

[24] To explore further the role of GLUT4 in signaling by artificial sweeteners, we tested internalization of endogenous GLUT4 in NCI-H716 cells. Treatment with saccharine led to a rapid redistribution of GLUT4 within the cell, resulting in "Ring"-staining (FIG. 4A). Quantitation of GLUT4 internalization, measured as an increased number of "Ring"-positive cells, has demonstrated that GLUT4 internalization increased after stimulation with Ace-K, aspartame, and saccharine, whereas natural sugars were not able to activate GLUT4 internalization process (FIG. 4B).

[25] Taken together, these results suggest that GLUT4 is the common receptor for artificial sweeteners. Saccharin activates Ca^ response via GLUT4 only, whereas Ace-K and aspartame target both T1R2/T1R3 and GLUT4 pathways.