The neural representation of taste quality at the periphery.
Nature
; 517(7534): 373-6, 2015 Jan 15.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-25383521
ABSTRACT
The mammalian taste system is responsible for sensing and responding to the five basic taste qualities sweet, sour, bitter, salty and umami. Previously, we showed that each taste is detected by dedicated taste receptor cells (TRCs) on the tongue and palate epithelium. To understand how TRCs transmit information to higher neural centres, we examined the tuning properties of large ensembles of neurons in the first neural station of the gustatory system. Here, we generated and characterized a collection of transgenic mice expressing a genetically encoded calcium indicator in central and peripheral neurons, and used a gradient refractive index microendoscope combined with high-resolution two-photon microscopy to image taste responses from ganglion neurons buried deep at the base of the brain. Our results reveal fine selectivity in the taste preference of ganglion neurons; demonstrate a strong match between TRCs in the tongue and the principal neural afferents relaying taste information to the brain; and expose the highly specific transfer of taste information between taste cells and the central nervous system.
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Banco de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Gusto
/
Lengua
/
Percepción del Gusto
/
Ganglio Geniculado
/
Neuronas
Límite:
Animals
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Nature
Año:
2015
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Estados Unidos