Intestinal bitter taste receptors in health: a multifactorially regulated role from the perspective of metabolic crosstalk

Intestinal bitter taste receptors (TAS2Rs) play a crucial role in detecting bitter compounds and regulating the release of intestinal hormones, such as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), and gastric emptying, which influence appetite, satiety, food intake, and energy balance. TAS2Rs are considered potential therapeutic targets for various diseases. However, TAS2Rs may interact with other taste receptors in the gut, affecting disease progression. This interaction may occur because intestinal TAS2Rs and other taste receptors share the same signaling pathways and activate similar signal transduction proteins. TAS2R expression is influenced by genetic factors, gut microbiota (GM), age, and sex. External chemical factors can also alter TAS2R expression, potentially leading to metabolic disorders and other diseases. Future studies should comprehensively assess how interventions affect the complex balance between taste reception and metabolic response. This review summarizes the role of TAS2Rs in metabolic processes and their potential interactions with other taste receptors, paving the way for precision nutrition.