# Effect of the G-Protein-Coupled Receptor T2R14 on Proliferation and Cell Population Growth in Oral Cancer Cells

**Authors:** Yongqiang Chen, Manikanta Kella, Kayla Austin, Rajinder P. Bhullar, Prashen Chelikani

PMC · DOI: 10.3390/cells15030279 · 2026-02-01

## TL;DR

T2R14 acts as a tumor suppressor in oral cancer, and higher levels are linked to better patient survival.

## Contribution

This study identifies T2R14 as a tumor suppressor in oral cancer through experimental and clinical data.

## Key findings

- T2R14 knockout increased proliferation and cell population growth in oral cancer cells.
- Higher TAS2R14 mRNA levels correlate with better overall survival in oral cancer patients.
- T2R14 downregulation is associated with increased colony formation and proliferation markers.

## Abstract

What are the main findings?
T2R14 knockout increased proliferation and cell population growth in oral cancer cells, suggesting that T2R14 can act as a tumor suppressor.External database analysis suggests that a higher TAS2R14 mRNA level is associated with a higher overall survival probability in patients with oral cancer.

T2R14 knockout increased proliferation and cell population growth in oral cancer cells, suggesting that T2R14 can act as a tumor suppressor.

External database analysis suggests that a higher TAS2R14 mRNA level is associated with a higher overall survival probability in patients with oral cancer.

What are the implications of the main findings?
The study’s findings highlight a research approach by measuring cell population growth in cancer biology.The study’s findings inform the development of new strategies to advance therapies for oral cancer and possibly other cancers by targeting T2R14, such as achieving a high intracellular T2R14 level in cancer cells.

The study’s findings highlight a research approach by measuring cell population growth in cancer biology.

The study’s findings inform the development of new strategies to advance therapies for oral cancer and possibly other cancers by targeting T2R14, such as achieving a high intracellular T2R14 level in cancer cells.

Oral cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths and significantly affects the quality of life of patients. However, many of its mechanisms remain unclear, and its treatment needs improvement. The G-protein-coupled receptor taste receptor type 2 member 14 (T2R14 or TAS2R14) is expressed in various cancer types. However, few studies have investigated its roles in oral cancer, and its effects on oral cancer cell proliferation and growth are unknown. This study aimed to examine T2R14’s impact on proliferation and cell population growth (CPG) of oral cancer cells. TAS2R14 gene knockout was performed, and cell numbers, cell viability, and colony formation were measured. This study showed that TAS2R14 knockout in oral cancer cells significantly decreased calcium mobilization, increased cell numbers, colony formation, the proliferation marker proliferating cell nuclear antigen, and the phosphorylation of mechanistic target of rapamycin, but did not affect cell viability. These observations are consistent with the clinical data that higher TAS2R14 mRNA expression is associated with better survival of patients with oral cancer. Therefore, T2R14 downregulation increased oral cancer CPG, suggesting a tumor-suppressor-like role. The study’s findings could improve our understanding of T2R14 mechanisms and help develop strategies to advance oral cancer treatment by targeting T2R14.

## Linked entities

- **Genes:** TAS2R14 (taste 2 receptor member 14) [NCBI Gene 50840], TAS2R14 (taste 2 receptor member 14) [NCBI Gene 50840]
- **Diseases:** oral cancer (MONDO:0023644)

## Full-text entities

- **Genes:** CXCR6 (C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 6) [NCBI Gene 10663] {aka BONZO, CD186, CDw186, STRL33, TYMSTR}, MTOR (mechanistic target of rapamycin kinase) [NCBI Gene 2475] {aka FRAP, FRAP1, FRAP2, RAFT1, RAPT1, SKS}, TAS2R14 (taste 2 receptor member 14) [NCBI Gene 50840] {aka T2R14, TRB1}, PCNA (proliferating cell nuclear antigen) [NCBI Gene 5111] {aka ATLD2}
- **Diseases:** Oral Cancer (MESH:D009062), cancer (MESH:D009369)
- **Chemicals:** calcium (MESH:D002118)
- **Species:** Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606]

## Figures

4 figures with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12896504/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12896504