Expression profile of the zinc transporter ZnT3 in taste cells of rat circumvallate papillae and its role in zinc release, a potential mechanism for taste stimulation.

ABSTRACT: Zinc is an essential trace element, and its deficiency causes taste dysfunction. Zinc accumulates in zinc transporter (ZnT)3-expressing presynaptic vesicles in hippocampal neurons and acts as a neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. However, the distribution of zinc and its role as a signal transmitter in taste buds remain unknown. Therefore, we examined the distribution of zinc and expression profiles of ZnT3 in taste cells and evaluated zinc release from isolated taste cells upon taste stimuli. Taste cells with a spindle or pyriform morphology were revealed by staining with the fluorescent zinc dye ZnAF-2DA and autometallography in the taste buds of rat circumvallate papillae. Znt3 mRNA levels were detected in isolated taste buds. ZnT3-immunoreactivity was found in phospholipase

SUBMITTER: Nishida K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9693774 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature