Molecular mechanisms of gustatory transduction in frog taste cells

In this review, we focussed on gustatory transduction mechanisms in frog taste cells on the basis of our research data. The frog taste cells were stimulated with four basic taste stimuli and pure water, and the receptor potentials and currents were recorded with microelectrode and patch pipette techniques. The taste cell membrane is divided into the apical receptive and basolateral membranes. It is concluded that receptor potentials in frog taste cells evoked by salt, acid, bitter, sugar and water stimuli are generated by currents through various types of ionic channels and pumps in the apical receptive and basolateral membranes.