Response of the taste receptor cell to the umami-substance stimulus. An electron-microscopic study

Physiol Behav. 1991 May;49(5):887-9. doi: 10.1016/0031-9384(91)90199-x.

Abstract

The chemosensory gustatory cells in taste buds form chemical synapses with intragemmal neurites. We investigated the ultrastructure of the guinea pig gustatory cells after stimulation with a mixture of monosodium L-glutamate and guanosine 5'-monophosphate. The gustatory cells responded to the stimulus. The dense-cored vesicles localized in the presynaptic regions discharged the contents into the synaptic cleft by means of exocytosis, which resulted in a marked decrease of their population. These findings strongly suggest that the transmitter or transmitters contained in the vesicles are released in response to the taste stimulation at the cell apex, to conduct the excitement of the cell to the nerves.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Exocytosis / drug effects
  • Exocytosis / physiology
  • Guanosine Monophosphate / pharmacology*
  • Guinea Pigs
  • Male
  • Microscopy, Electron
  • Sodium Glutamate / pharmacology*
  • Synapses / drug effects
  • Synapses / physiology
  • Synaptic Membranes / drug effects
  • Synaptic Membranes / physiology
  • Synaptic Transmission / drug effects*
  • Synaptic Transmission / physiology
  • Synaptic Vesicles / drug effects
  • Synaptic Vesicles / physiology
  • Taste / drug effects*
  • Taste / physiology
  • Taste Buds / anatomy & histology
  • Taste Buds / drug effects*

Substances

  • Guanosine Monophosphate
  • Sodium Glutamate