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Related Concept Videos

Taste Buds and Receptors01:20

Taste Buds and Receptors

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Gustation, or the sense of taste, is intrinsically linked to the anatomical structures located on the tongue. This organ's surface, along with the entirety of the oral cavity, is adorned with stratified squamous epithelium. Evident on the tongue are elevated structures known as papillae (singular = papilla), which house the mechanisms for the transduction of gustatory stimuli. Four distinct types of papillae exist, each identified by their unique morphological attributes: the circumvallate,...
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The Physiology of Taste01:24

The Physiology of Taste

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The perception of a salty flavor is facilitated by sodium ions within the oral salivary fluid. Upon consumption of a salty substance, salt crystals disassemble, leading to the liberation of its constituents—Na+ and Cl- ions. These ions subsequently dissolve into the salivary fluid present in the oral cavity. The external environment of the gustatory cells experiences an elevation in Na+ concentration, thereby establishing a potent concentration gradient. This gradient propels the...
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Gustation01:43

Gustation

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Gustation is a chemical sense that, along with olfaction (smell), contributes to our perception of taste. It starts with the activation of receptors by chemical compounds (tastants) dissolved in the saliva. The saliva and filiform papillae on the tongue distribute the tastants and increase their exposure to the taste receptors.
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The Tongue and Taste Buds00:49

The Tongue and Taste Buds

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The surface of the tongue is covered with various small bumps called papillae, which either distribute what has been ingested (filiform papillae) or contain the sensory taste (or gustatory) receptor cells (fungiform, circumvallate, and foliate papillae). Embedded within each taste-related papilla are the taste buds—clusters of 30 to 100 gustatory receptor cells.
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Salivary Glands and Saliva01:23

Salivary Glands and Saliva

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The salivary glands, of which there are three pairs known as the parotid, submandibular, and sublingual glands, play a crucial role in maintaining oral health and initiating the digestive process. Positioned near the ears, beneath the masseter muscle, the parotid glands secrete saliva into the oral cavity through the parotid duct of Stensen. Meanwhile, the submandibular glands, located on the floor of the mouth, secrete saliva through channels named submandibular ducts. The sublingual glands,...
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G-Protein Gated Ion Channels01:21

G-Protein Gated Ion Channels

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GPCRs are primarily responsible for our sense of smell, taste, and vision.  The binding of a sensory stimulus activates GPCR to stimulate effector proteins, many of which are ion channels in the sensory organs. GPCRs modulate the opening and closing of the target ion channels either directly by binding them, or by releasing second messengers that activate these channels. As ions move across the membrane, the membrane potential is altered, which induces an appropriate response.
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 18, 2025

Whole-Mount Staining, Visualization, and Analysis of Fungiform, Circumvallate, and Palate Taste Buds
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Gustatory-neuron-supplied R-spondin-2 is required for taste bud replenishment.

Jiang Xu1, Alan Moreira de Araujo1, Ranhui Xi1

  • 1Monell Chemical Senses Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA.

Stem Cell Reports
|June 20, 2025
PubMed
Summary

Gustatory neuron-derived R-spondin 2 (RSPO2) is essential for maintaining taste buds. Genetic studies reveal that RSPO2 regulates taste cell regeneration and taste bud homeostasis.

Keywords:
R-spondinRnf43Rspo2Znrf3innervationtaste tissue homeostasis

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Related Experiment Videos

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Whole-Mount Staining, Visualization, and Analysis of Fungiform, Circumvallate, and Palate Taste Buds
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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Biology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Taste cell replenishment throughout life depends on nerve supply.
  • R-spondin has been shown to promote taste cell generation and restore taste buds.
  • The specific role of gustatory neuron-derived R-spondin 2 (RSPO2) in taste tissue homeostasis is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the necessity of gustatory-neuron-supplied RSPO2 in taste tissue homeostasis.
  • To elucidate the regulatory mechanisms governing taste bud maintenance.

Main Methods:

  • Genetic manipulation in mice, including using an Rspo2 hypomorphic allele.
  • Specific ablation of Rspo2 in the nodose-petrosal-jugular ganglion complex.
  • Epithelial ablation of Rnf43/Znrf3.

Main Results:

  • Mice with an Rspo2 hypomorphic allele showed significantly reduced taste bud numbers.
  • Specific ablation of Rspo2 in gustatory ganglia led to near-complete loss of taste buds in the circumvallate papilla.
  • Epithelial ablation of Rnf43/Znrf3 resulted in excessive and sustained taste bud expansion.

Conclusions:

  • The RSPO2-RNF43/ZNRF3 signaling axis is a critical regulator of taste tissue homeostasis.
  • RSPO2, supplied by gustatory neurons, plays a vital role in maintaining taste bud structure and function.