TAS2R16 encodes a bitter taste receptor that functions as a gustducin-coupled G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) involved in detecting bitter compounds, particularly β-glucoside-containing substances like salicin 12. The receptor exhibits pronounced selectivity for β-glucopyranoside moiety-containing compounds and signals through the gustducin pathway and Gi proteins 1. Structurally, TAS2R16 can be allosterically inhibited by probenecid, which blocks bitter taste perception through a non-competitive mechanism 2. The gene has been subject to positive selection in human populations, particularly in Eurasian groups, likely reflecting adaptation to detect plant toxins during human migration and dietary expansion 3. Polymorphisms in TAS2R16 show clinical relevance, with the rs860170 C allele associated with increased risk of exudative age-related macular degeneration 4 and rs1525489 potentially linked to rectal cancer susceptibility 5. Additionally, TAS2R16 variants have been associated with longevity in South Italian populations, possibly related to immune-inflammatory processes, though replication studies show mixed results 67. The receptor's role extends beyond taste perception to broader physiological functions including immune responses.