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Dye-coupling among frog (Rana catesbeiana) taste disk cells
1Department of Physiology, Nagasaki University School of Dentistry, Japan.
Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. Comparative Physiology
|September 1, 1992
Summary
Supporting cells influence taste perception in bullfrogs. Dye-coupling between taste and supporting cells enhances responses to acid stimuli, suggesting a role for cell communication in gustatory transduction.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cell Biology
- Sensory Physiology
Background:
- Taste perception involves complex cellular interactions within taste buds.
- The role of cell-to-cell communication, specifically dye-coupling, in gustatory transduction is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate dye-coupling between taste and supporting cells in bullfrog fungiform papillae.
- To determine the electrophysiological effects of dye-coupling on taste cell responses to various stimuli.
Main Methods:
- Histological examination using Lucifer yellow dye injection to assess cell coupling.
- Electrophysiological recordings of depolarizing responses in taste and supporting cells.
Main Results:
- Dye-coupling was observed between taste cells, supporting cells, and between taste and supporting cells.
- Cell coupling did not affect responses to NaCl or quinine-HCl.
- Acid (acetic acid) stimulation resulted in significantly larger depolarizing responses in dye-coupled taste cells linked to supporting cells.
Conclusions:
- Supporting cells play a role in gustatory transduction for acid stimuli.
- Dye-coupling between taste and supporting cells modulates taste cell responses, particularly to acids.