Genetics of taste preferences: a pilot study focused on students of Masaryk University

NOVÁK, David, Kristián KROTKÝ, Veronika TKÁČOVÁ, Veronika VITOUCHOVÁ, Dávid KÖVÉR, Michaela BARTOŠOVÁ, Martina KUKLETOVÁ, Lydie IZAKOVIČOVÁ HOLLÁ and Petra BOŘILOVÁ LINHARTOVÁ. Genetics of taste preferences: a pilot study focused on students of Masaryk University. In XIX. setkání biochemiků a molekulárních biologů. 2018.

Basic information

• Original name: Genetics of taste preferences: a pilot study focused on students of Masaryk University
• Authors: NOVÁK, David (203 Czech Republic), Kristián KROTKÝ (703 Slovakia), Veronika TKÁČOVÁ (703 Slovakia), Veronika VITOUCHOVÁ (203 Czech Republic), Dávid KÖVÉR (703 Slovakia), Michaela BARTOŠOVÁ (703 Slovakia), Martina KUKLETOVÁ (203 Czech Republic), Lydie IZAKOVIČOVÁ HOLLÁ (203 Czech Republic) and Petra BOŘILOVÁ LINHARTOVÁ (203 Czech Republic, belonging to the institution).
• Edition: XIX. setkání biochemiků a molekulárních biologů, 2018.

Other information

• Original language: English
• Type of outcome: Conference abstract
• Field of Study: 30101 Human genetics
• Country of publisher: Czech Republic
• Confidentiality degree: is not subject to a state or trade secret
• RIV identification code: RIV/00216224:14110/18:00101360
• Organization unit: Faculty of Medicine
• Keywords in English: taste perception; taste preference; diet; gene polymorphism; dentistry; students

Abstract

Background Taste perception is one of the sensory-mediated factors influencing dietary preferences and eating habits. Some taste perception phenotypes have simple monogenic inheritance, whereas others have complex genetic architecture. The aim of this study was to determinate eleven single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in several genes involved in taste perception (glucose transporter - GLUT, carbonic anhydrase - CA, sweet and bitter taste receptors - TASR) and compared them to corresponding data from a questionnaire focused on diet and taste preferences. Subjects and methods The study group comprised of 88 students of Masaryk University. We collected various demographic and clinical data, the subjects filled in a questionnaire regarding their taste and dietary preferences and were genotyped for SLC2A2 (GLUT2, rs5400), CA6 (rs17032907, rs2274327, rs2274328, rs2274333, rs11576766), TAS1R2 (rs35874116, rs12033832, rs9701796), and TAS2R38 (rs713598, rs1726866) SNPs by qPCR using TaqMan fluorescent assays. Results We found significant associations between the CA6 rs2274333 SNP and the sweet taste preference (p < 0.05), the TAS1R2 rs9701796 SNP and the sour taste preference (p < 0.01), and the TAS2R38 rs172686 SNP and the salty taste preference (p < 0.05). Furthermore, a positive correlation between body mass index and salty taste preference was observed (p = 0.01). Conclusions Our data support the findings that the complex genetic background of taste perception of an individual may impact their taste preferences, possibly influencing their eating habits and overall health. Future education aimed at dietary habits may consider not only socioeconomic and demographic determinants but also taste preferences rooted in genetic predispositions. Acknowledgements This study was supported by grants NV17-30439A, GACR GB14-37368G, project MUNI/A/1008/2017, and funds provided by the Faculty of Medicine MU to junior researcher Petra Borilova Linhartova.

Links

• GB14-37368G, research and development project: Name: Centrum orofaciálního vývoje a regenerace

Investor: Czech Science Foundation

• MUNI/A/1008/2017, interní kód MU: Name: Etiopatogenetické aspekty, diagnostika a léčba vybraných onemocnění dutiny ústní

Investor: Masaryk University, Category A

• NV17-30439A, research and development project: Name: Moderní biotechnologické a behaviorální přístupy ve výzkumu zubního kazu a strategie jeho prevence
• ROZV/24/LF/2018, interní kód MU: Name: LF - Příspěvek na IP 2108

Investor: Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the CR, Internal development projects