Taste receptor-like cells in the rat gut identified by expression of alpha-gustducin.
The alpha-subunit of the trimeric G-protein complex specific for taste receptor cells of the tongue, alpha-gustducin, is described here to be also expressed in the stomach and intestine. The alpha-gustducin-containing cells were identified as brush cells that are scattered throughout the surface epithelium of the gut and share structural features of taste receptor cells of the tongue. These findings provide clues to the long-sought molecular and cellular basis for chemoreception in the gut.
Höfer
D
D
Institute of Anatomy, University of Würzburg, Germany.
Püschel
B
B
Drenckhahn
D
D
D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D015153:Blotting, Western; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D017931:DNA Primers; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism*; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D051381:Rats; D011984:Sensory Receptor Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D013649:Taste; D015293:Transducin / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
D017931:DNA Primers; C075192:gustducin; D015293:Transducin