Abstract

This subproject is designed to determine the functional significance of morphologically different cell types in mammalian taste buds. Several different markers identify at least two types of taste cells in mammalian taste buds. The investigator proposes to patch clamp the cells from fungiform papillae in an intact section of lingual epithelium and correlate their basic electrophysiological properties as well as their taste responsiveness to their morphology. This work will be done in collaboration with Dr. Timothy Gilbertson, an electrophysiologist trained in patch clamp technology. Following recording, during which time the cells will be labeled by dye loading through the patch electrode, the cells will be fixed, sectioned, and characterized immunocytochemically as to morphological type. Some experiments will focus on taste cells from genetically engineered mice that are deficient in gustducin, a taste transduction protein thought to be characteristic of cell types responsive to sweet and bitter tastants, and a marker protein for one of the two types of taste cells.

  Funding Agency

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)
Type
Research Program Projects (P01)
Project #
5P01DC000347-16
Application #
6597582
Study Section
Communication Disorders Review Committee (CDRC)
Project Start
2002-04-01
Project End
2003-03-31
Budget Start
Budget End
Support Year
16
Fiscal Year
2002
Total Cost
$228,547
Indirect Cost

  Institution

Name
University of Maryland Baltimore
Department
Type
DUNS #
003255213
City
Baltimore
State
MD
Country
United States
Zip Code
21201

  Publications

Laaris, Nora; Puche, Adam; Ennis, Matthew (2007) Complementary postsynaptic activity patterns elicited in olfactory bulb by stimulation of mitral/tufted and centrifugal fiber inputs to granule cells. J Neurophysiol 97:296-306
Weiler, Elke (2005) Postnatal development of the rat vomeronasal organ. Chem Senses 30 Suppl 1:i127-8
Weiler, Elke; Farbman, Albert I (2003) The septal organ of the rat during postnatal development. Chem Senses 28:581-93
Farbman, A I; Ezeh, P I (2000) TGF-alpha and olfactory marker protein enhance mitosis in rat olfactory epithelium in vivo. Neuroreport 11:3655-8
Suzuki, Y; Farbman, A I (2000) Tumor necrosis factor-alpha-induced apoptosis in olfactory epithelium in vitro: possible roles of caspase 1 (ICE), caspase 2 (ICH-1), and caspase 3 (CPP32). Exp Neurol 165:35-45
Smith, D V; Som, J; Boughter Jr, J D et al. (1999) Cellular expression of alpha-gustducin and the A blood group antigen in rat fungiform taste buds cross-reinnervated by the IXth nerve. J Comp Neurol 409:118-30
Weiler, E; Apfelbach, R; Farbman, A I (1999) The vomeronasal organ of the male ferret. Chem Senses 24:127-36
Weiler, E; Farbman, A I (1999) Mitral cell loss following lateral olfactory tract transection increases proliferation density in rat olfactory epithelium. Eur J Neurosci 11:3265-75
Weiler, E; McCulloch, M A; Farbman, A I (1999) Proliferation in the vomeronasal organ of the rat during postnatal development. Eur J Neurosci 11:700-11
Carr, V M; Walters, E; Margolis, F L et al. (1998) An enhanced olfactory marker protein immunoreactivity in individual olfactory receptor neurons following olfactory bulbectomy may be related to increased neurogenesis. J Neurobiol 34:377-90

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