5-HT_3A -driven green fluorescent protein delineates gustatory fibers innervating sour-responsive taste cells: A labeled line for sour taste?

ABSTRACT: Taste buds contain multiple cell types with each type expressing receptors and transduction components for a subset of taste qualities. The sour sensing cells, Type III cells, release serotonin (5-HT) in response to the presence of sour (acidic) tastants and this released 5-HT activates 5-HT₃ receptors on the gustatory nerves. We show here, using 5-HT_3A GFP mice, that 5-HT₃ -expressing nerve fibers preferentially contact and receive synaptic contact from Type III taste cells. Further, these 5-HT₃ -expressing nerve fibers terminate in a restricted central-lateral portion of the nucleus of the solitary tract (nTS)-the same area that shows increased c-Fos expression upon presentation of a sour tastant (30 mM citric acid). This acid stimulation also

SUBMITTER: Stratford JM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5933927 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature