biostudies-literatureDutta Banik DDirectorate for Biological SciencesNIDCD NIH HHSe1008925https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC7425866biostudies-literatureUnknown16(8)Taste receptor cells use multiple signaling pathways to detect chemicals in potential food items. These cells are functionally grouped into different types: Type I cells act as support cells and have glial-like properties; Type II cells detect bitter, sweet, and umami taste stimuli; and Type III cells detect sour and salty stimuli. We have identified a new population of taste cells that are broadly tuned to multiple taste stimuli including bitter, sweet, sour, and umami. The goal of this study was to characterize these broadly responsive (BR) taste cells. We used an IP3R3-KO mouse (does not release calcium (Ca2+) from internal stores in Type II cells when stimulated with bitter, sweet, or umami stimuli) to characterize the BR cells without any potentially confounding input from Type II celPLoS geneticsA subset of broadly responsive Type III taste cells contribute to the detection of bitter, sweet and umami stimuli.PMC74258661256950R01 DC016869Kemp BRMartin LEMedler KFLoney GCKemp BTTorregrossa AMNelson ARAhart ZCBenfey EDDutta Banik DKay KEfalseA subset of broadly responsive Type III taste cells contribute to the detection of bitter, sweet and umami stimuli.Taste receptor cells use multiple signaling pathways to detect chemicals in potential food items. These cells are functionally grouped into different types: Type I cells act as support cells and have glial-like properties; Type II cells detect bitter, sweet, and umami taste stimuli; and Type III cells detect sour and salty stimuli. We have identified a new population of taste cells that are broadly tuned to multiple taste stimuli including bitter, sweet, sour, and umami. The goal of this study was to characterize these broadly responsive (BR) taste cells. We used an IP3R3-KO mouse (does not release calcium (Ca2+) from internal stores in Type II cells when stimulated with bitter, sweet, or umami stimuli) to characterize the BR cells without any potentially confounding input from Type II cel2020-01-01T00:00:00Z2020 Aug2025-04-25T19:44:18.012Z2020-08-24T07:03:47ZS-EPMC74258663279078510.1371/journal.pgen.1008925