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Voltage-dependent sodium currents recorded from dissociated rat taste cells
1Indiana University School of Medicine, Center for Medical Education, Ball State University, Muncie 47306, USA.
The Journal of Membrane Biology
|July 1, 1995
Summary
Mammalian taste receptor cells possess voltage-dependent sodium channels crucial for gustatory transduction. These channels exhibit fast and slow inactivation, and are sensitive to tetrodotoxin, impacting taste perception.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Sensory Biology
- Molecular Physiology
Background:
- Taste receptor cells (TRCs) are vital for gustation.
- Understanding ion channel function in TRCs is key to gustatory transduction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize voltage-dependent sodium currents in mammalian TRCs.
- To elucidate the biophysical properties and pharmacological profile of these sodium currents.
Main Methods:
- Whole-cell patch clamp technique on dissociated mammalian TRCs.
- Analysis of current activation, inactivation kinetics, and voltage dependence.
- Pharmacological assessment using tetrodotoxin (TTX).
Main Results:
- 50-75% of TRCs expressed sodium currents activating near -50 mV.
- Current-voltage relationships indicated ohmic conductance.
- Sodium currents showed voltage- and time-dependent fast and slow inactivation.
- Tetrodotoxin (TTX) reversibly inhibited currents at nanomolar concentrations, with no TTX-insensitive currents found.
Conclusions:
- Mammalian TRCs possess functional voltage-dependent sodium channels.
- These channels play a significant role in TRC action potentials and gustatory transduction.
- The properties suggest a direct contribution to taste signaling pathways.
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