Cell Calcium 2003 Jan 01;335-6:541-9. doi: 10.1016/s0143-4160(03)00059-9.

Making sense with TRP channels: store-operated calcium entry and the ion channel Trpm5 in taste receptor cells.

???displayArticle.abstract???
The sense of taste plays a critical role in the life and nutritional status of organisms. During the last decade, several molecules involved in taste detection and transduction have been identified, providing a better understanding of the molecular physiology of taste receptor cells. However, a comprehensive catalogue of the taste receptor cell signaling machinery is still unavailable. We have recently described the occurrence of calcium signaling mechanisms in taste receptor cells via apparent store-operated channels and identified Trpm5, a novel candidate taste transduction element belonging to the mammalian family of transient receptor potential channels. Trpm5 is expressed in a tissue-restricted manner, with high levels in gustatory tissue. In taste cells, Trpm5 is co-expressed with taste-signaling molecules such as alpha-gustducin, Ggamma(13), phospholipase C beta(2) and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor type III. Biophysical studies of Trpm5 heterologously expressed in Xenopus oocytes and mammalian CHO-K1 cells indicate that it functions as a store-operated channel that mediates capacitative calcium entry. The role of store-operated channels and Trpm5 in capacitative calcium entry in taste receptor cells in response to bitter compounds is discussed.

???displayArticle.pubmedLink??? 12765699
???displayArticle.link??? Cell Calcium
???displayArticle.grants??? [+]

Species referenced: Xenopus
Genes referenced: trpm4 trpm5