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Na+-H+ exchange activity in taste receptor cells.

mRNA for two Na(+)-H(+)-exchanger isoforms 1 and 3 (NHE-1 and NHE-3) was detected by RT-PCR in fungiform and circumvallate taste receptor cells (TRCs). Anti-NHE-1 antibody binding was localized to the basolateral membranes, and the anti-NHE-3 antibody was localized in the apical membranes of fungiform and circumvallate TRCs. In a subset of TRCs, NHE-3 immunoreactivity was also detected in the intracellular compartment. For functional studies, an isolated lingual epithelium containing a single fungiform papilla was mounted with apical and basolateral sides isolated and perfused with nominally CO(2)/HCO(3)(-)-free physiological media (pH 7.4). The TRCs were monitored for changes in intracellular pH (pH(i)) and Na(+) ([Na(+)](i)) using fluorescence ratio imaging. At constant external pH, 1) removal of basolateral Na(+) reversibly decreased pH(i) and [Na(+)](i); 2) HOE642, a specific blocker, and amiloride, a nonspecific blocker of basolateral NHE-1, attenuated the decrease in pH(i) and [Na(+)](i); 3) exposure of TRCs to basolateral NH(4)Cl or sodium acetate pulses induced transient decreases in pH(i) that recovered spontaneously to baseline; 4) pH(i) recovery was inhibited by basolateral amiloride, 5-(N-methyl-N-isobutyl)-amiloride (MIA), 5-(N-ethyl-N-isopropyl)-amiloride (EIPA), HOE642, and by Na(+) removal; 5) HOE642, MIA, EIPA, and amiloride inhibited pH(i) recovery with K(i) values of 0.23, 0.46, 0.84, and 29 microM, respectively; and 6) a decrease in apical or basolateral pH acidified TRC pH(i) and inhibited spontaneous pH(i) recovery. The results indicate the presence of a functional NHE-1 in the basolateral membranes of TRCs. We hypothesize that NHE-1 is involved in sour taste transduction since its activity is modulated during acid stimulation.

Algorithms↗

Seasonal cell proliferation in the chemosensory epithelium and brain of red-backed salamanders, Plethodon cinereus.

The chemosensory epithelium of vertebrates retains the ability to produce new receptor neurons throughout life, presumably as a mechanism to replace aging or damaged receptors. We examined cell division in the main olfactory and vomeronasal epithelia of red-backed salamanders (Plethodon cinereus) because previous studies had shown that the volume of sensory epithelia changes seasonally. Cell division was compared throughout the year by injecting salamanders once with 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU), which is incorporated into the DNA of cells during DNA synthesis, and sacrificing them one hour after injection. We used immunocytochemistry to locate cells that had arisen from cell division since BrdU injection and compared the number of labeled cells per area among animals. Animals collected in May had significantly more labeled nuclei than animals collected in any other month. However, proliferation rates among the other months were not significantly different and were quite low. Labeled nuclei also were found around the cerebral ventricles of salamanders collected in May, but rarely in any other month, although other tissues in the head often were heavily labeled. Cell proliferation appears to be up-regulated in the chemosensory epithelia and in the telencephalon during May, and we hypothesize that new receptors, and perhaps their interneurons in the telencephalon, are being generated in anticipation of seasonal events that are mediated by chemoreception.

Animals↗

Changes in retinal structure during development and settlement of the goatfish Upeneus tragula.

The retinal structure of the goatfish Upeneus tragula was examined at various stages of the fish's development from pre-settlement pelagic larvae to benthic juveniles. Histological investigation revealed a double layer of cone inner segments in the dorsal retina and high cone and bipolar cell densities in both dorsal and ventral retina prior to settlement. During settlement reorganisation of the dorsal retina was found to occur, with the two cone layers slotting together to form a single layer. In both the dorsal and ventral retina cone and bipolar cell densities were rapidly reduced. Visual acuity, as calculated from histological data on cone density and lens diameter, was found to increase rapidly prior to settlement to an asymptote of approximately 27 minutes of arc, which corresponded to settlement. The changes in the visual system are thought to be associated with changes in both habitat and feeding behaviour at settlement when the fish leave the surface waters and begin a benthic mode of life using sensory barbels to search for sediment dwelling prey.

Animals↗

The ontogeny of nasal chemical senses in garter snakes.

The development of the nasal chemical senses of reptiles is of particular interest since evidence suggests that neonatal reptiles use both their olfactory and vomeronasal systems. This review focuses on the embryonic development of these nasal chemosensory systems in garter snakes (Thamnophis spp.). Three approaches have been used to examine development: (1) Normal morphological studies, (2) 3H-thymidine autoradiographic studies, and (3) metabolic mapping of the accessory and main olfactory bulbs with cytochrome oxidase histochemistry. In addition, garter snake embryos have been grown in vitro to facilitate experimental procedures. The results of these studies show that reptiles are a rich and diverse group for investigating the developmental processes that form the neurobiological basis for naturally occurring chemosensory-mediated behaviors.

Animals↗

Potential role for kv3.1b channels as oxygen sensors.

Hypoxia inhibits voltage-gated K channels in pulmonary artery smooth muscle (PASM). This is thought to contribute to hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction by promoting membrane depolarization, Ca(2+) influx, and contraction. Several of the K-channel subtypes identified in pulmonary artery have been implicated in the response to hypoxia, but contradictory evidence clouds the identity of the oxygen-sensing channels. Using patch-clamp techniques, this study investigated the effect of hypoxia on recombinant Kv1 channels previously identified in pulmonary artery (Kv1.1, Kv1.2, and Kv1.5) and Kv3.1b, which has similar kinetic and pharmacological properties to native oxygen-sensitive currents. Hypoxia failed to inhibit any Kv1 channel, but it inhibited Kv3.1b channels expressed in L929 cells, as shown by a reduction of whole-cell current and single-channel activity, without affecting unitary conductance. Inhibition was retained in excised membrane patches, suggesting a membrane-delimited mechanism. Using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and immunocytochemistry, Kv3.1b expression was demonstrated in PASM cells. Moreover, hypoxia inhibited a K(+) current in rabbit PASM cells in the presence of charybdotoxin and capsaicin, which preserve Kv3.1b while blocking most other Kv channels, but not in the presence of millimolar tetraethylammonium ions, which abolish Kv3.1b current. Kv3.1b channels may therefore contribute to oxygen sensing in pulmonary artery.

Animals↗

Ouabain binding and cation transport in human erythrocytes.

In the present studies we have explored the relation between ouabain binding and the inhibition of potassium influx in intact human erythrocytes. The rate at which bound ouabain molecules dissociate from the erythrocyte membrane is not altered by complete replacement of choline with sodium or by partial replacement with potassium. These findings indicate that the effects of these cations on ouabain binding reflect alterations in the rate of association of ouabain molecules with the erythrocyte membrane. Variations in the cation composition of the incubation solution did not alter the relation between the fraction of the glycosidebinding sites occupied by ouabain or the fraction of ouabain-sensitive potassium influx which was inhibited. That is, irrespective of the affinity of the erythrocyte membrane for ouabain molecules and irrespective of the magnitude of glycoside-sensitive potassium influx, occupation of a given fraction of the glycoside-binding sites by ouabain results in the inhibition of an equal fraction of the ouabain-sensitive potassium transport sites.

Adult↗

Chemosensory properties of murine nasal and cutaneous trigeminal neurons identified by viral tracing.

BACKGROUND: Somatosensation of the mammalian head is mainly mediated by the trigeminal nerve that provides innervation of diverse tissues like the face skin, the conjunctiva of the eyes, blood vessels and the mucouse membranes of the oral and nasal cavities. Trigeminal perception encompasses thermosensation, touch, and pain. Trigeminal chemosensation from the nasal epithelia mainly evokes stinging, burning, or pungent sensations. In vitro characterization of trigeminal primary sensory neurons derives largely from analysis of complete neuronal populations prepared from sensory ganglia. Thus, functional properties of primary trigeminal afferents depending on the area of innervation remain largely unclear. RESULTS: We established a PrV based tracing technique to identify nasal and cutaneous trigeminal neurons in vitro. This approach allowed analysis and comparison of identified primary afferents by means of electrophysiological and imaging measurement techniques. Neurons were challenged with several agonists that were reported to exhibit specificity for known receptors, including TRP channels and purinergic receptors. In addition, TTX sensitivity of sodium currents and IB4 binding was investigated. Compared with cutaneous neurons, a larger fraction of nasal trigeminal neurons showed sensitivity for menthol and capsaicin. These findings pointed to TRPM8 and TRPV1 receptor protein expression largely in nasal neurons whereas for cutaneous neurons these receptors are present only in a smaller fraction. The majority of nasal neurons lacked P2X3 receptor-mediated currents but showed P2X2-mediated responses when stimulated with ATP. Interestingly, cutaneous neurons revealed largely TTX resistant sodium currents. A significantly higher fraction of nasal and cutaneous afferents showed IB4 binding when compared to randomly chosen trigeminal neurons. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the usability of PrV mediated tracing of primary afferents was demonstrated. Using this technique it could be shown that compared with neurons innervating the skin nasal trigeminal neurons reveal pronounced chemosensitivity for TRPM8 and TRPV1 channel agonists and only partially meet properties typical for nociceptors. In contrast to P2X3 receptors, TRPM8 and TRPV1 receptors seem to be of pronounced physiological relevance for intranasal trigeminal sensation.

Afferent Pathways↗

Distinguishing features of leucine and alpha-ketoisocaproate sensing in pancreatic beta-cells.

Culturing rat islets in high glucose (HG) increased 1-(14)C-alpha-ketoisocaproate (KIC) oxidation compared with culturing them in low glucose. Leucine caused insulin secretion (IS) in low glucose but not in HG rat islets, whereas KIC did so in both. Pretreatment with HG for 40 min abolished leucine stimulation of IS by mouse islets and prevented the cytosolic Ca(2+) rise without inhibiting IS and Ca(2+) increments caused by KIC. When islets were pretreated without glucose and glutamine, aminooxyacetic acid (AOA) markedly decreased KIC effects. When islets were pretreated without glucose and with glutamine, AOA potentiated leucine effects but attenuated KIC effects. AOA stimulated glutamine oxidation in the presence but not the absence of +/-2-amino-2-norbornane-carboxylic acid, a nonmetabolized leucine analog. Pretreatment with HG and glutamine partially reversed AOA inhibition of KIC effects. Glucose increased intracellular ATP and GTP, whereas it decreased ADP and GDP in beta HC9 cells. Glutamate dehydrogenase activity of beta HC9 cell extracts was increased by leucine and attenuated by GTP, but it was potentiated by ADP. In conclusion, leucine and KIC stimulated beta-cells via distinct mechanisms. Glutamate dehydrogenase is the sensor of leucine, whereas transamination plays an important role in KIC stimulation of pancreatic beta-cells.

Aminooxyacetic Acid↗

Expression of functional purinergic receptors in pulmonary neuroepithelial bodies and their role in hypoxia chemotransmission.

Adenine nucleotides act through specific cell surface receptors to invoke a variety of biological responses. Here we show that cells of neuroepithelial bodies (NEB), presumed O2 airway sensors in neonatal hamster lung, express functional P2X receptors (P2X-R). Positive immunostaining was detected in NEB cells using double-label immunohistochemistry with antibodies against P2X2 and P2X3 receptor subunits, which co-localized with serotonin (5-HT), a marker of NEB cells. For electrophysiological characterization of P2X2-R in NEB cells, fresh neonatal hamster lung slice preparation was used. Under whole-cell patch clamp, perfusion with ATP induced a concentration-dependent, non-desensitizing inward current (EC50=12 microM). Perfusion with alpha,beta-methylene ATP also induced a slow-desensitizing inward current (EC50=8.2 microM). Suramin (IC50 ca. 43 microM) and TNP-ATP (IC50 ca. 8 microM) blocked the currents evoked by both ATP and alpha,beta-methylene ATP. Using carbon fiber amperometry we observed that hypoxia and ATP induced 5-HT release from NEB cells and that this release was blocked by suramin. These data suggest that functional P2X2/3 heteromeric receptors are expressed in NEB cells. The possible function of these purinoreceptors in NEB cells could include modulation of hypoxia chemotransmission.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Kv1.1 deletion augments the afferent hypoxic chemosensory pathway and respiration.

Mutations in the potassium channel gene Kv1.1 are associated with human episodic ataxia type 1 (EA-1) syndrome characterized by movement disorders and epilepsy. Ataxic episodes in EA-1 patients are often associated with exercise or emotional stress, which suggests a prominent role for the autonomic nervous system. Many of these alterations are reproduced in the Kv1.1-null mouse. Kv1.1 also regulates excitability of sensory neurons essential in cardiovascular and respiratory reflexes. We examined the neural control of the respiratory system of littermate wild-type (control) and Kv1.1-null mice during low O2 (hypoxia). Immunohistochemical studies demonstrated Kv1.1 in the afferent limb of the carotid body chemoreflex (the major regulator in the response to hypoxia), consisting of the carotid body, petrosal ganglion, and nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS). Respiration was examined by plethysmography. Null mice exhibited a greater increase in respiration during hypoxia compared with controls. In vitro carotid body sensory discharge during hypoxia was greater in null than control mice. In the caudal NTS, evoked EPSCs in brainstem slices were similar between control and null mice. However, the frequency of spontaneous and miniature EPSCs was greater in null mice. Null mice also exhibited more asynchronous release after a stimulus train. These results demonstrate the important role of Kv1.1 in afferent chemosensory activity and suggest that mutations in the human Kv1.1 gene have functional consequences during stress responses that involve respiratory reflexes.

Afferent Pathways↗

Differentiation of the lingual and palatal gustatory epithelium of the rat as revealed by immunohistochemistry of alpha-gustducin.

We used alpha-gustducin, a taste-cell-specific G protein to investigate the onset of taste transduction and its relation to the development of the palatal and lingual taste buds. Frozen cryostat and paraffin sections were prepared from the palatal and lingual gustatory epithelium of the rat from birth till postnatal day 21 (PN 21d). At PN 1-7d, alpha-gustducin-immunoreactive solitary ovoid or bipolar cells were scattered among the oral epithelium either horizontally along the oral surface or vertically oriented between the basal lamina and oral surface. In the circumvallate and foliate papillae, these cells became wrapped in alpha-gustducin-immunonegative cells surrounded by an extracellular space forming a bud-like structure. Simultaneously, different stages of typical taste buds were recognized, but alpha-gustducin was only expressed in some neonatally developed pored buds. At PN 1d, alpha-gustducin was expressed in pored taste buds with a relatively higher frequency recorded in the soft palate as compared with the nasoincisor, circumvallate, and foliate papillae. The immunoreactive cells were spindle shaped with elongated processes extending from the base to the pore of the taste buds. During the second week, the solitary cells could no longer be recognized while the total counts of immunoreactive cells within the taste buds gradually increased. We argue that taste transduction is essentially required from the time of birth and can be fulfilled by both of the solitary chemosensory cells, which are immunoreactive for alpha-gustducin and scattered in the oral epithelium, and the taste cells within the mature taste buds. Moreover, the onset of taste transduction accomplished by the palatal taste buds developed earlier than that achieved by taste buds in the circumvallate and foliate papillae.

Animals↗

The receptive mechanism of various metallic ions in the lateral-line organ of the tadpoles of Rana catesbeiana.

The stimulating effect on the receptor organ of various mono-and divalent metallic ions on the lateral-line nerve of tadpoles was studied. The orders of the effectiveness were Ag + greater than T1+ greater than K+==Na+ greater than Li for monovalent ions and Sr2+ greater than Mg2+ greater than or equal too Ba2+ greater than Cd2+ greater than or equal too Co2+ greater than Mn2+ greater than Zn2+ for divalent ions. Both agree well with the order of Pearson's softness parameter for monovalent ions and Edwards' modified parameter for divalent ones. All sorts of divalent cations exhibited suppressive effects on the stimulating effect of the monovalent cations when they were applied together with the monovalent cations. A simple selection rule was found for the suppressive effect. The stimulating effect of Na+ or K+ was suppressed by all sorts of divalent cations. But the effect of Ag+ was suppressed by Cd2+, but not by Mg2+ nor by Ca2+. In order to remove the Ag+ effect, a dilute solution of DTT was used, although the effect of K+ or Na+ was removed easily by rinsing with distilled water. From these results the receptive mechanism of the endorgan was thought to be chemical adsorption of ions in the receptor cell membrane. Based on the principle of "hard and soft acid and base", it is suggested that there are two types of binding sites for the ions on the membrane, a soft site and a hard one.

Action Potentials↗

Richner-Hanhart's syndrome: new ultrastructural observations on skin lesions of two cases.

New ultrastructural observations are described in skin lesions of two brothers with Richner-Hanhart's syndrome (RHS). Physical examination of the two patients showed painful skin lesions of palms and soles combined with denderitic corneal ulceration and mental retardation. The diagnosis of RHS was confirmed biochemically with high tyrosine levels in both blood and urine. Examination by transmission electron microscopy revealed several abnormal ultrastructural changes in the epidermal cells. The horny cells contained heterogeneously, electron-dense cytoplasm with many lipid droplets. The granular cell cytoplasm contained abundant tonofibrils and keratohyaline granules. The spinous cell cytoplasm was vacuolated due to the presence of minute tyrosine crystals, which are known to have a lytic effect. The surrounding keratinocytes contained multilobed nuclei. The basal epidermal cells appeared normal except for Merkel cells, which were severely damaged by vacuolatio, also due to the presence of tyrosine crystals. This study showed that high tyrosine levels can induce several ultrastructural pathological changes in the epidermal cells, including the skin chemoreceptor Merkel cells.

Adult↗