Referenced in: none

Automatically associated channels: Kv11.1 , Kv7.1

Title: Taste receptor cells express voltage-dependent potassium channels in a cell age-specific manner.

Authors: Makoto Ohmoto, Ichiro Matsumoto, Takumi Misaka, Keiko Abe

Journal, date & volume: Chem. Senses, 2006 Oct , 31, 739-46

PubMed link: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16873422

Abstract
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-beta2 and TRPM5 (beta2/M5-TRCs). In cell type-specific expression, KCNQ1 was expressed in most taste bud cells, including beta2/M5-TRCs, whereas KCNH2 was expressed in a subset of beta2/M5-TRCs with no correlation with their taste modality, such as sweet or bitter taste reception. Expression of KCNH2 was restricted to young beta2/M5-TRCs. These results suggest that taste bud cells other than beta2/M5-TRCs are depolarized by some stimuli and also that beta2/M5-TRCs have cell age-dependent molecular mechanisms of repolarization.