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Cell-type-independent expression of inwardly rectifying potassium currents in mouse fungiform taste bud cells

Y Nakao1, M Koshimura, T Yamasaki

  • 1Department of Human Intelligence Systems, Graduate School of Life Science and Systems Engineering, Kyushu Institute of Technology, Kitakyushu, Japan. otsubo@brain.kyutech.ac.jp.

Physiological Research
|May 30, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Inwardly rectifying potassium (Kir) channels are present in all mouse taste bud cells, functioning independently of cell type. These channels are crucial for regulating resting membrane potential and taste signal transduction.

Area of Science:

  • Physiology
  • Neuroscience
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Inwardly rectifying potassium (Kir) channels are essential for maintaining resting membrane potential and regulating action potential duration in excitable cells.
  • Understanding Kir channel function in taste bud cells (TBCs) is critical for elucidating taste signal transduction mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the presence and characteristics of Kir currents in mouse fungiform TBCs.
  • To identify the specific TBC types expressing these Kir currents.
  • To determine the functional contribution of Kir channels to TBC physiology.

Main Methods:

  • In situ whole-cell patch-clamp recordings were used to measure Kir currents in mouse fungiform TBCs.
  • Immunological methods were employed to identify TBC types (I-III) expressing the currents.
  • RT-PCR was utilized to detect Kir channel mRNA expression in lingual epithelia.

Main Results:

  • Kir currents were observed in all investigated TBC types (I-III) in a cell-type-independent manner.
  • Kir current activation occurred at -80 to -90 mV, with increased magnitude at more negative potentials, irrespective of cell type.
  • Maximum Kir current densities at -120 mV did not significantly differ among TBC types.
  • RT-PCR detected mRNAs for multiple Kir families (Kir1, Kir2, Kir4, Kir6, Kir7) in lingual epithelia.

Conclusions:

  • Mouse fungiform TBCs express multiple functional Kir channel types.
  • Kir currents are present across all TBC types, suggesting a general role in regulating their membrane potential.
  • These findings highlight the importance of Kir channels in TBC resting potential maintenance and taste signal transduction.

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