The role of GABA in modulation of taste signaling within the taste bud.

Taste buds contain 2 types of GABA-producing cells: sour-responsive Type III cells and glial-like Type I cells. The physiological role of GABA, released by Type III cells is not fully understood. Here, we investigated the role of GABA released from Type III cells using transgenic mice lacking the expression of GAD67 in taste bud cells (Gad67-cKO mice).

Lower plasma tumor necrosis factor-α is associated with symptomatic remission in patients with schizophrenia.

We investigated the plasma tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α levels between patients with schizophrenia remission and healthy controls, and the association between the plasma TNF-α levels and cognitive function and social function. This cross-sectional study included 48 patients with schizophrenia who fulfilled the remission criteria and 20 healthy controls. Plasma TNF-α levels were measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and cognitive function was assessed using the Japanese version of the Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia (BACS-J).

Chloride ions evoke taste sensations by binding to the extracellular ligand-binding domain of sweet/umami taste receptors.

Salt taste sensation is multifaceted: NaCl at low or high concentrations is preferably or aversively perceived through distinct pathways. Cl is thought to participate in taste sensation through an unknown mechanism. Here, we describe Cl ion binding and the response of taste receptor type 1 (T1r), a receptor family composing sweet/umami receptors.

Piezo1-pannexin-1-P2X axis in odontoblasts and neurons mediates sensory transduction in dentinal sensitivity.

According to the "hydrodynamic theory," dentinal pain or sensitivity is caused by dentinal fluid movement following the application of various stimuli to the dentin surface. Recent convergent evidence has shown that plasma membrane deformation, mimicking dentinal fluid movement, activates mechanosensitive transient receptor potential (TRP)/Piezo channels in odontoblasts, with the Ca signal eliciting the release of ATP from pannexin-1 (PANX-1). The released ATP activates the P2X receptor, which generates and propagates action potentials in the intradental Aδ afferent neurons.

Sodium-glucose cotransporter 1 as a sugar taste sensor in mouse tongue.

Aim: We investigated potential neuron types that code sugar information and how sodium-glucose cotransporters (SGLTs) and T1Rs are involved.

Methods: Whole-nerve recordings in the chorda tympani (CT) and the glossopharyngeal (GL) nerves and single-fibre recordings in the CT were performed in T1R3-KO and wild-type (WT) mice. Behavioural response measurements were conducted in T1R3-KO mice using phlorizin (Phl), a competitive inhibitor of SGLTs.