This gene encodes a member of the taste receptor two family of class C G-protein coupled receptors. Receptors of this family have a short extracellular N-terminus, seven transmembrane helices, three extracellular loops and three intracellular loops, and an intracellular C-terminus. Members of this family are expressed in a subset of taste receptor cells, where they function in bitter taste reception, as well as in non-gustatory cells including those of the brain, reproductive organs, respiratory system, and gastrointestinal system. This gene maps to the taste receptor gene cluster on chromosome 12p13. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2016],