Dental Caries and Taste Receptor Genes
Poster Number
17
Introduction/Abstract
Dental caries is one of the most prevalent diseases worldwide and the most common chronic childhood disease in the United States. Although previous studies suggest the importance of genetic factors, not too much is known about dental caries in relation to food choices that people make due to a specific genetic mutation. Our review analyzes the genetic influence of taste perception on caries susceptibility.
Purpose
Specifically, we focused on the bitter taste perception from TAS2R38 genes and the sweet taste perception from the TAS1R2 genes. The results of this review proved that genotypes of taste perception do have an influence on dental caries. This information can be used to create a customized diet to prevent or decrease morbidity of dental caries in primary, mixed and permanent dentition.
Method
A case-control study was performend comparing polymorphisms of 5 TAS2R38 and TAS1R2, taste receptor genes in 54 patients with cleft lip and/or palate and their 57 relatives, and 28 unaffected individuals in Udaipur, India. A Taqman Allelic Discrimination Assay along with a RT-PCR machine was used for rapid detection of SNP’s.
Results
Results showed that percentages of protective alleles were significantly higher (p<0.05) in controls for the TAS2R38 gene compared to cases for all SNPs studied. This shows that for TAS2R38 genes, patients with cleft lip and/or palate possessed less caries protective taste receptor genes and more caries risk genes. Results for TAS1R2 gene were inconclusive.
Significance
After thorough review of these studies, it was concluded that the incidence of caries disease could be related to taste perception genes. The TAS2R38 genotype and bitter taste perception have a strong relationship to caries incidence. The PROP bitter taste perception also has a very solid association, due to super tasters having less caries disease. Sweet taste perception correlated with genes TAS1R2 and GLUT2 also are correlated to caries rate. This knowledge could be used to target patients who are at a higher risk for caries based on their genetics, and to perform a DNA analysis or simple taste perception rating. This can help target these high-risk patients and help develop a hygiene and diet program for caries protection.
Location
DeRosa University Center, Stockton campus, University of the Pacific
Format
Poster Presentation
Dental Caries and Taste Receptor Genes
DeRosa University Center, Stockton campus, University of the Pacific
Dental caries is one of the most prevalent diseases worldwide and the most common chronic childhood disease in the United States. Although previous studies suggest the importance of genetic factors, not too much is known about dental caries in relation to food choices that people make due to a specific genetic mutation. Our review analyzes the genetic influence of taste perception on caries susceptibility.
