Tas2r125 functions as the main receptor for detecting bitterness of tea catechins in the oral cavity of mice

Highlights: • We identified mouse 5 bitter taste receptors (Tas2rs) which respond to tea catechin. • Among these receptors, Tas2r125 showed the strongest response to catechins. • The response profiles of Tas2r125 were consistent with the behavior profiles. • Tas2r125 expression was not observed in the tested tissues except the taste papillae. • Tas2r125 plays as the catechin receptor in the oral cavity. We attempted to identify mouse bitter taste receptors, Tas2rs, that respond to tea catechins. Among representative tea catechins, avoidance behavior of mice to (−)–epicatechin gallate (ECg) was the strongest, followed by (−)–epigallocatechin gallate (EGCg). Therefore, we measured ECg response using Tas2rs-expressing cells. Among the 35 members of Tas2r family, Tas2r108, 110, 113, 125, and 144 responded to ECg. Among these receptors, Tas2r113 and 125 also responded to EGCg. Because the response profiles of Tas2r125 were consistent with the results of the behavior assays, it was considered that Tas2r125 functions as the main receptor for detecting bitterness of tea catechins in the oral cavity. To determine the involvement of Tas2rs in the physiological action of catechins, mRNA expression of 5 Tas2rs was investigated in various tissues. Because mRNA expression of Tas2r108 was observed in some tissues including the gastrointestinal tract, it may be envisaged that Tas2r108 plays a part in exerting the physiological action of ECg. Tas2r125 expression was not observed in any of the tested tissues except the circumvallate papillae. Therefore, Tas2r125 was considered to mainly function in the events of catechin reception in the oral cavity.