TAS2R14, also known as taste receptor type 2 member 14, is a protein encoded by the TAS2R14 gene in humans and belongs to the G-protein-coupled receptor superfamily. It is specifically expressed in the taste receptor cells of the tongue and palate epithelia and is genetically linked to loci that influence bitter perception. This receptor is notable for its ability to recognize a wide range of chemically diverse bitter substances, making it one of the most broadly tuned bitter taste receptors. In addition to its role in taste perception, TAS2R14 is expressed in various non-gustatory tissues, such as human airway smooth muscle, where it has been shown to mediate bronchodilation and produce bactericidal levels of nitric oxide, suggesting potential therapeutic applications for respiratory diseases. Recent studies have also revealed its involvement in immune defense mechanisms and its potential as a target for host-directed therapies.
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