Genetics of human taste perception

Phenylthiocarbamide
There are three SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) along the gene that may render its proteins unresponsive. There is conflicting evidence as to whether the inheritance of this trait is dominant or incomplete dominant. Any person with a single functional copy of this gene can make the protein and is sensitive to PTC. Some studies have shown that homozygous tasters experience a more intense bitterness than people that are heterozygous; other studies have indicated that another gene may determine taste sensitivity.

The frequency of PTC taster and non-taster alleles vary in different human populations.

Workers in this area

 * Danielle Reed
 * Alexander Bachmanov
 * Michael Tordoff
 * Glayde Whitney