A cluster of gustducin-expressing cells in the mouse stomach associated with two distinct populations of enteroendocrine cells.
In the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, a variety of digestive processes are continually adapted to the changing composition of ingested foods, which requires a precise chemosensory monitoring of luminal contents. Gustducin-expressing brush cells scattered throughout the GI mucosa are considered candidate sensory cells for accomplishing this task. In this study, we have investigated a large cluster of gustducin-positive cells which is located exactly at the boundary between the fundic and the oxyntic mucosa of the mouse stomach, at the so-called "limiting ridge". In close association with the candidate chemosensory cluster, we found two populations of enteroendocrine cells: one population containing the satiety regulating hormone ghrelin, the other population comprising serotonin-secreting enterochromaffin cells. The particular arrangement of gustducin-expressing cells and enteroendocrine cells at the limiting ridge suggests a direct interplay between these cell types with immediate implications, not only for digestive processes in the stomach, but also for parameters controlling the satiety status.
Hass
Nicole
N
University of Hohenheim, Institute of Physiology, Garbenstrasse 30, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany.
Schwarzenbacher
Karin
K
Breer
Heinz
H
D000818:Animals; D019858:Enteroendocrine Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D013270:Stomach / Q000166:cytology; D015293:Transducin / Q000378:metabolism*
C075192:gustducin; D015293:Transducin