Markers / Condition
Which genes decide what things taste like to you?
Taste and smell are where genetics is most immediately checkable against your own experience, which is exactly why they are useful: you can test the claim in a second. They are also a good lesson in effect size, because the famous coriander result explains well under one per cent of whether people like it.
The markers
| Marker | Gene | What it does | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| rs1726866 | TAS2R38 | Tasting bitterness in brassicas | established |
| rs10246939 | TAS2R38 | Bitter receptor, second position | established |
| rs72921001 | OR6A2 | Whether coriander tastes like soap | moderate |
| rs4481887 | near OR2M7 | Smelling asparagus in urine | moderate |
| rs4988235 | MCM6 | Digesting milk as an adult | established |
Tasting bitterness in brassicas
rs1726866 · TAS2R38
TAS2R38 detects a specific bitter compound found in broccoli, sprouts and kale. Two common versions of the receptor differ at three positions, and one of them barely works.
Two copies: Likely a taster at this position
Bitter receptor, second position
rs10246939 · TAS2R38
The second of the three positions that define the two common versions of the TAS2R38 bitter receptor.
Two copies: Taster version at this position
Whether coriander tastes like soap
rs72921001 · OR6A2
Coriander leaf contains aldehydes that are also found in soap. This position sits beside a cluster of smell-receptor genes, and one version of it makes those aldehydes far more obvious.
Two copies: Higher chance of the soapy taste
Smelling asparagus in urine
rs4481887 · near OR2M7
Almost everyone produces the sulphur compounds after eating asparagus. Only some people can smell them, and this position sits in a cluster of smell-receptor genes.
Two copies: Most likely to detect it
Digesting milk as an adult
rs4988235 · MCM6
Nearly every mammal switches lactase off after weaning. A single change upstream of the lactase gene keeps it on for life, and it spread through Europe in the last ten thousand years alongside dairying.
Two copies: Likely lactase persistent
Which versions do you carry?
All of these are readable from an ordinary home DNA test file, in your browser, without uploading it anywhere.
Read my fileCommon questions
Which genes decide what things taste like to you?
Taste and smell are where genetics is most immediately checkable against your own experience, which is exactly why they are useful: you can test the claim in a second. They are also a good lesson in effect size, because the famous coriander result explains well under one per cent of whether people like it. The markers most often cited are rs1726866 in TAS2R38, rs10246939 in TAS2R38, rs72921001 in OR6A2, rs4481887 in near OR2M7, rs4988235 in MCM6.
What does rs1726866 do?
TAS2R38 detects a specific bitter compound found in broccoli, sprouts and kale. Two common versions of the receptor differ at three positions, and one of them barely works. Carrying two copies: likely a taster at this position.
What does rs10246939 do?
The second of the three positions that define the two common versions of the TAS2R38 bitter receptor. Carrying two copies: taster version at this position.
What does rs72921001 do?
Coriander leaf contains aldehydes that are also found in soap. This position sits beside a cluster of smell-receptor genes, and one version of it makes those aldehydes far more obvious. Carrying two copies: higher chance of the soapy taste.
What does rs4481887 do?
Almost everyone produces the sulphur compounds after eating asparagus. Only some people can smell them, and this position sits in a cluster of smell-receptor genes. Carrying two copies: most likely to detect it.
Reference information, not medical advice and not a diagnosis. See the medical disclaimer.