title: Modulation of taste sensitivity by GLP-1 signaling.
abstract: In many sensory systems, stimulus sensitivity is dynamically modulated through mechanisms of peripheral adaptation, efferent input, or hormonal action. In this way, responses to sensory stimuli can be optimized in the context of both the environment and the physiological state of the animal. Although the gustatory system critically influences food preference, food intake and metabolic homeostasis, the mechanisms for modulating taste sensitivity are poorly understood. In this study, we report that glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) signaling in taste buds modulates taste sensitivity in behaving mice. We find that GLP-1 is produced in two distinct subsets of mammalian taste cells, while the GLP-1 receptor is expressed on adjacent intragemmal afferent nerve fibers. GLP-1 receptor knockout mice show dramatically reduced taste responses to sweeteners in behavioral assays, indicating that GLP-1 signaling normally acts to maintain or enhance sweet taste sensitivity. A modest increase in citric acid taste sensitivity in these knockout mice suggests GLP-1 signaling may modulate sour taste, as well. Together, these findings suggest a novel paracrine mechanism for the regulation of taste function.
authors.affiliation: National Institute on Aging/NIH, Baltimore, Maryland 21224, USA.
authors.forename: Yu-Kyong
authors.initials: YK
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.forename: Bronwen
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: Erin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Golden
authors.forename: Cedrick D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Dotson
authors.forename: Stuart
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Maudsley
authors.forename: Wook
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Hyeung-Jin
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Jang
authors.forename: Mark P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Mattson
authors.forename: Daniel J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Drucker
authors.forename: Josephine M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Egan
authors.forename: Steven D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Munger
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019343:Citric Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D052216:Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D000067757:Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor; D008251:Macaca; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D018027:Receptors, Glucagon / Q000235:genetics*; D011984:Sensory Receptor Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D012684:Sensory Thresholds / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology; D013549:Sweetening Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D013649:Taste / Q000235:genetics*; D013650:Taste Buds / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D017833:Visceral Afferents / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: C000593834:Glp1r protein, mouse; C000593835:Glp1r protein, rat; D000067757:Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor; D018027:Receptors, Glucagon; D013549:Sweetening Agents; D019343:Citric Acid; D052216:Glucagon-Like Peptide 1