TRPM5 BASED ASSAYS AND THE USE THEREOF FOR THE IDENTIFICATION OF MODULATORS OF SWEET, BITTER OR UMAMI (SAVORY) TASTE

Robust cell based assays are provided that use cells that express wild-type or modified TRPM5 nucleic acid sequences in order to identify putative taste modulators, preferably sweet, bitter and umami taste modulators. The preferred assays use HEK-293 cells that express TRPM5, optionally at least one GPCR, preferably a taste specific GPCR, and a G protein that couples therewith. These assays detect TRPM5 modulators by use of membrane potential dyes that emit fluorescence on changes in TRPM5 activity based on changes in membrane potential and these changes in fluorescence are detectable using Fluorimetric Imaging Plate Readers (FLIPR).