Taste receptor-like cells in the rat gut identified by expression of alpha-gustducin.

D Höfer, B Püschel… - Proceedings of the …, 1996 - National Acad Sciences
D Höfer, B Püschel, D Drenckhahn
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 1996National Acad Sciences
The alpha-subunit of the trimeric G-protein complex specific for taste receptor cells of the
tongue, alpha-gustducin, is described here to be also expressed in the stomach and
intestine. The alpha-gustducin-containing cells were identified as brush cells that are
scattered throughout the surface epithelium of the gut and share structural features of taste
receptor cells of the tongue. These findings provide clues to the long-sought molecular and
cellular basis for chemoreception in the gut.
The alpha-subunit of the trimeric G-protein complex specific for taste receptor cells of the tongue, alpha-gustducin, is described here to be also expressed in the stomach and intestine. The alpha-gustducin-containing cells were identified as brush cells that are scattered throughout the surface epithelium of the gut and share structural features of taste receptor cells of the tongue. These findings provide clues to the long-sought molecular and cellular basis for chemoreception in the gut.
National Acad Sciences