title: Gustatory detection of tetrodotoxin and saxitoxin, and its competitive inhibition by quinine and strychnine in freshwater fishes.
abstract: Fish detect extremely low levels of marine toxins tetrodotoxin (TTX) and saxitoxin (STX) via the specialized gustatory receptor(s). Physiological and pharmacological studies show that receptor(s) for TTX and STX are distinct from those which detect feeding stimulant amino acids and bile acids, and that TTX and STX do not share the same receptor populations, while interacting with quinine and strychnine in a competitive fashion suggestive of an antidotal relationship.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3T 2N2, Canada.
authors.forename: Toshiaki J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Hara
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005399:Fishes / Q000378:metabolism; D005618:Fresh Water; D011803:Quinine / Q000494:pharmacology; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000378:metabolism; D012530:Saxitoxin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013331:Strychnine / Q000494:pharmacology; D055697:Taste Perception; D013779:Tetrodotoxin / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D012530:Saxitoxin; D013779:Tetrodotoxin; D011803:Quinine; D013331:Strychnine