rs35874116

mixedMag 3.0

This is a protein-altering variant in the TAS1R2 gene.

Key Literature Trait Associations

Dental caries

Several independent studies have linked rs35874116 to dental caries susceptibility, particularly in children. A Chinese case-control study (n=236) found the TT genotype associated with both higher sweet intake frequency and severe early childhood caries (OR=2.11, 95% CI 1.01–4.42). A Turkish school-children study (n=184) found the homozygous polymorphic genotype associated with severe caries (>8 cavities, p=0.008). A large Brazilian birth cohort (n=888–5914) found no independent effect of rs35874116 on caries trajectory but identified a positive epistatic interaction with TAS1R3 rs307355 on the decayed component (OR=1.72, 95% CI 1.04–2.84). The dental caries association likely operates partly through increased sweet food consumption.

Liang Y et al. “The rs35874116 single nucleotide polymorphism increases sweet intake and the risk of severe early childhood caries: a case-control study.” Bmc Oral Health (2022)

Allele T

OR 2.11

p 3.7e-2

N 236

Candidate gene study

Chinese children (Nanning)

Chisini LA et al. “Sweet Taste Receptor Gene and Caries Trajectory in the Life Course.” Journal of Dental Research (2023)

Allele T

OR 1.72

p —

N 888

Preliminary work

Brazilian birth cohort (Pelotas 1982)

Haznedaroğlu E et al. “Association of sweet taste receptor gene polymorphisms with dental caries experience in school children.” Caries Research (2015)

Allele T

OR —

p 8.0e-3

N 184

Candidate gene study

Turkish schoolchildren (ages 7–12)

Sweet Taste Sensitivity / Sugar Intake

TAS1R2 forms half of the sweet taste receptor (with TAS1R3). The rs35874116 variant (Ile191Val) partially impairs receptor function by reducing cell-surface delivery. Val (G allele) carriers perceive sweet tastes less intensely, tend to consume less added sugar, and have modestly lower HbA1c and better glucose control. Carriers of the Ile (A) allele have a fully functioning receptor and may find sweet foods more appealing, potentially driving higher sugar consumption.

Stevens H et al. “TAS1R2 rs35874116 Associations with Taste, Diet, and Health in an Italian Population.” Nutrients (2025)

Allele A

OR —

β 1.290

p 3.5e-2

N 554

Preliminary work

Italian

Serrano J et al. “The Ile191Val is a partial loss-of-function variant of the TAS1R2 sweet-taste receptor and is associated with reduced glucose excursions in humans.” Molecular Metabolism 54:101339 (2021)

Allele A

OR —

p 5.0e-4

Candidate gene study

Pioltine MB et al. “Genetic Variations in Sweet Taste Receptor Gene Are Related to Chocolate Powder and Dietary Fiber Intake in Obese Children and Adolescents.” Journal of Personalized Medicine (2018)

Allele A

OR —

p —

N 513

Preliminary work

Brazilian obese children and adolescents

Melo SV et al. “Evaluation of the association between the TAS1R2 and TAS1R3 variants and food intake and nutritional status in children.” Genetics and Molecular Biology (2017)

Allele A

OR —

p —

N 312

Candidate gene study

Brazilian children

Ponnusamy V et al. “T1R2/T1R3 polymorphism affects sweet and fat perception: Correlation between SNP and BMI in the context of obesity development.” Human Genetics (2025)

Allele A

OR —

p —

N 249

Candidate gene study

Indian adults

Melis M et al. “Associations between Sweet Taste Sensitivity and Polymorphisms (SNPs) in the TAS1R2 and TAS1R3 Genes, Gender, PROP Taster Status, and Density of Fungiform Papillae in a Genetically Homogeneous Sardinian Cohort.” Nutrients (2022)

Allele A

OR —

p —

N 107

Candidate gene study

Sardinian (Italian)

Exercise response and muscle fitness

The Val allele (G; rs35874116) of TAS1R2, which encodes a partial loss-of-function Ile191Val substitution, has been associated with enhanced exercise adaptations in older adults with obesity. A translational study (PMID 39393515) found Val carriers showed greater improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness and mitochondrial function following a 6-month combined weight loss and exercise intervention, mirroring findings in TAS1R2 knockout mice. A companion preprint (PMID 36798161) reported that partial TAS1R2 loss-of-function recapitulated a healthier skeletal muscle phenotype. These findings suggest the sweet receptor has non-oral roles in muscle glucose sensing, though evidence remains preliminary and limited to small cohorts.

Serrano J et al. “A partial loss-of-function variant (Ile191Val) of the TAS1R2 glucose receptor is associated with enhanced responses to exercise training in older adults with obesity: A translational study.” Metabolism: Clinical and Experimental (2025)

Allele G

OR —

p —

Candidate gene study

Older adults with obesity (US)

Serrano J et al. “The TAS1R2 sweet taste receptor regulates skeletal muscle mass and fitness.” Research Square (2023)

Allele G

OR —

p —

Candidate gene study

Human and mouse (translational)

Gene information from NCBI Gene. Variant classifications from ClinVar.

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