Pseudomonas aeruginosa metabolite 3-oxo-C12HSL induces apoptosis through T2R14 and the mitochondrial calcium uniporter

Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) arise in the mucosal lining of the upper aerodigestive tract. HNSCCs have high mortality rates and current treatments can be associated with severe morbidities. It is vital to discover effective, minimally invasive therapies that improve survival and quality of life. We previously discovered that bitter taste receptor 14 (T2R14), a GPCR, kills HNSCC cells when activated by bitter agonists. We are now investigating endogenous bitter ligands that exist in HNSCC tumor microenvironment (TME). The TME includes cells, signaling molecules, and microbes that can greatly influence treatment responses and overall prognosis in HNSCC.