Trp8, a transient receptor potential channel expressed in taste receptor cells

A method for identifying a compound that inhibits the perception of a bitter taste and/or promotes the perception of a sweet taste, said method comprising:

• (i) contacting an isolated cell expressing the TRP8 channel protein of
• SEQ ID NO:
• 4 with a test compound and a compound or molecular complex that results in TRP8 activation, and measuring the level of TRP8 activation;
• (ii) in a separate experiment, contacting an isolated cell expressing the TRP8 channel protein of SEQ ID NO:
• 4 with a compound or molecular complex that results in TRP8 activation, and measuring the level of TRP8 activation, where the conditions are essentially the same as in part (i);
• and
• (iii) comparing the level of activation of TRP8 measured in part (i) with the level of activation of TRP8 in part (ii), wherein the level of TRP8 activation is measured by measuring the level of intracellular Ca2+ in the cell and wherein a decreased level of activated TRP8 in the presence of the test compound indicates that the test compound inhibits the perception of a bitter taste and/or promotes the perception of a sweet taste.