TMC4 is a novel chloride channel involved in high-concentration salt taste sensation.

ABSTRACT: "Salty taste" sensation is evoked when sodium and chloride ions are present together in the oral cavity. The presence of an epithelial cation channel that receives Na⁺ has previously been reported. However, no molecular entity involving Cl^- receptors has been elucidated. We report the strong expression of transmembrane channel-like 4 (TMC4) in the circumvallate and foliate papillae projected to the glossopharyngeal nerve, mediating a high-concentration of NaCl. Electrophysiological analysis using HEK293T cells revealed that TMC4 was a voltage-dependent Cl^- channel and the consequent currents were completely inhibited by NPPB, an anion channel blocker. TMC4 allowed permeation of organic anions including gluconate, but their current amplitudes at positive pot

SUBMITTER: Kasahara Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10717410 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature