Taste cells with synapses in rat circumvallate papillae display SNAP-25-like immunoreactivity.
SNAP-25 is a 25 kDa protein believed to be involved in the processes of membrane fusion and exocytosis associated with neurotransmitter release. In the present study we present evidence that SNAP-25-like immunoreactivity can be used as a marker for taste cells with synapses in rat circumvallate papillae. SNAP-25 immunoreactivity is present in most intragemmal nerve processes and a small subset of taste cells. Intense immunoreactivity is associated with the nerve plexus located below the base of the taste bud. Of a total of 87 taste cells with synapses onto nerve processes, 80 of the presynaptic taste cells had SNAP-25 immunoreactivity. The association of SNAP-25 immunoreactivity with taste cells possessing synapses suggests that these cells may be gustatory receptor cells. Because this SNAP-25 antibody can label taste cells with synapses, it may also serve as a useful tool for future studies correlating structure with function in the taste bud.
Yang
R
R
Department of Biological Sciences, University of Denver, Denver, Colorado 80208, USA.
Crowley
H H
HH
Rock
M E
ME
Kinnamon
J C
JC
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D009475:Neurons, Afferent / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013569:Synapses / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D050825:Synaptosomal-Associated Protein 25; D013650:Taste Buds / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure*
D008565:Membrane Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; C494210:Snap25 protein, rat; D050825:Synaptosomal-Associated Protein 25