Candidate chemosensory cells in the stomach mucosa of young postnatal mice during the phases of dietary changes.

The complex physiology of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract must permanently be adjusted according to the composition of ingested food, which requires continuous monitoring by appropriate sensory systems. Sensing the dietary constituents is thought to be mediated by chemosensory cells residing in the mucosa of the GI tract. We have examined the appearance and differentiation of candidate chemosensory cells at distinct postnatal stages and visualized cells that express gustducin or TRPM5.