Korean J Anat.  1998 Apr;31(2):293-298.

Immunohistochemical study on the dopaminergic and norepinephrinergic taste cells in rat taste buds

• Kim DJ

Abstract

Immunohistochemistry was applied to rat circumvallate papilla to localize the dopamine and norepinephrine in taste bud and to investigate the effect of preloading L-DOPA, dopamine and norepinephrine into taste cells. Dopamine and norepinephrine immunohistochemistry demonstrated that two to four taste cells except basal cells were weakly immunopositive for these neurotransmitters. Immunoreactive cells were elongated and their cell processes extended from the taste pore to the base of the taste bud. After pretreating animals with L-DOPA, four to six taste bud cells showed strong immunoreactivity for dopamine, but weak immunoreactivity for norepinephrine. Administration of dopamine or norepinephrine did not alter the number or intensity of immunoreactive cells in taste bud. These findings indicated that mammalian taste cells normally contain dopamine and norepinephrine, and that taste cells can take up L-DOPA and convert it to dopamine. Based on these findings, we postulate that norepinephrine functions as neurotransmitters or neuromodulators in taste sensory transmission.

Keyword

Taste bud; Dopaminergic taste cells; Norepinephrinergic taste cells; L-DOPA; Immunohistochemistry

MeSH Terms

Animals
Dopamine
Immunohistochemistry
Levodopa
Neurotransmitter Agents
Norepinephrine
Rats*
Taste Buds*
Dopamine
Levodopa
Neurotransmitter Agents
Norepinephrine