Taste Receptor Cells Express Voltage-Dependent Potassium Channels in a Cell Age–Specific Manner

摘要

Two voltage-dependent potassium channels, KCNQ1 and KCNH2, are expressed in the taste buds and were identified as strong candidates involved in the repolarization of taste receptor cells expressing phospholipase C-β2 and TRPM5 (β2/M5-TRCs). In cell type–specific expression, KCNQ1 was expressed in most taste bud cells, including β2/M5-TRCs, whereas KCNH2 was expressed in a subset of β2/M5-TRCs with no correlation with their taste modality, such as sweet or bitter taste reception. Expression of KCNH2 was restricted to young β2/M5-TRCs. These results suggest that taste bud cells other than β2/M5-TRCs are depolarized by some stimuli and also that β2/M5-TRCs have cell age–dependent molecular mechanisms of repolarization.