Abnormal taste perception in mice lacking the type 3 inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor

J Biol Chem. 2007 Dec 21;282(51):37225-31. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M705641200. Epub 2007 Oct 9.

Abstract

Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (IP3R) is one of the important calcium channels expressed in the endoplasmic reticulum and has been shown to play crucial roles in various physiological phenomena. Type 3 IP3R is expressed in taste cells, but the physiological relevance of this receptor in taste perception in vivo is still unknown. Here, we show that mice lacking IP3R3 show abnormal behavioral and electrophysiological responses to sweet, umami, and bitter substances that trigger G-protein-coupled receptor activation. In contrast, responses to salty and acid tastes are largely normal in the mutant mice. We conclude that IP3R3 is a principal mediator of sweet, bitter, and umami taste perception and would be a missing molecule linking phospholipase C beta2 to TRPM5 activation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate Receptors / genetics
  • Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate Receptors / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Perception / physiology*
  • Phospholipase C beta / genetics
  • Phospholipase C beta / metabolism*
  • TRPM Cation Channels / genetics
  • TRPM Cation Channels / metabolism*
  • Taste / physiology*
  • Taste Buds / cytology
  • Taste Buds / metabolism*

Substances

  • Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate Receptors
  • TRPM Cation Channels
  • Trpm5 protein, mouse
  • Phospholipase C beta
  • Plcb2 protein, mouse