title: Distribution of α-transducin and α-gustducin immunoreactive cells in the chicken (Gallus domesticus) gastrointestinal tract.
abstract: The expression and distribution patterns of the taste signaling molecules, α-gustducin (Gαgust) and α-transducin (Gαtran) G-protein subunits, were studied in the gastrointestinal tract of the chicken (Gallus domesticus) using the immunohistochemical method. Gαgust and Gαtran immunoreactive (-IR) cells were observed in the mucosal layer of all examined segments, except the esophagus, crop, and the saccus cranialis of the gizzard. The highest numbers of Gαgust and Gαtran-IR cells were found in the proventriculus glands and along the villi of the pyloric, duodenum, and rectal mucosa. Gαgust and Gαtran-IR cells located in the villi of the jejunum, ileum, and cloaca were much less numerous, while only a few Gαgust and Gαtran-IR cells were detected in the mucosa of the proventriculus and cecum. In the crypts, IR cells were observed in the small and large intestine as well as in the cloaca. Gαgust and Gαtran-IR cells displayed elongated ("bottle-" or "pear-like") or rounded shape. The demonstration of Gαgust and Gαtran expression provides evidence for taste receptor mediated mucosal chemosensitivity in the chicken gastrointestinal tract.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Ozzano Emilia (BO), Italy. Electronic address: m.mazzoni@unibo.it.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mazzoni
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Ozzano Emilia (BO), Italy.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bombardi
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Ozzano Emilia (BO), Italy.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vallorani
authors.affiliation: Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Bologna, Ozzano Emilia (BO), Italy.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sirri
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna (BO), Italy.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: De Giorgio
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna (BO), Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Caio
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Ozzano Emilia (BO), Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Grandis
authors.affiliation: CURE/DDRC, Division of Digestive Diseases, Departments Medicine and Neurobiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles; Veterans Administration Greater Los Angeles Health System, Los Angeles, CA.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sternini
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Ozzano Emilia (BO), Italy.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Clavenzani
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D030161:Avian Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D002645:Chickens / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000502:physiology; D015870:Gene Expression; D008297:Male; D009928:Organ Specificity; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013649:Taste; D015293:Transducin / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D030161:Avian Proteins; C075192:gustducin; D015293:Transducin
keywords: chemosensing; chicken; gastrointestinal tract; α-gustducin; α-transducin