Responses to di-sodium guanosine 5'-monophosphate and monosodium L-glutamate in taste receptor cells of rat fungiform papillae

Enhanced preference for dried bonito dashi by prior experience with dashi and various taste substances in mice

Dried bonito dashi, a complex mixture of sour, bitter, and umami substances as well as over 400 odorants, is the most widely used Japanese fish broth that enhances palatability of various dishes. Recent studies have suggested that prior experience with dried bonito dashi produces strong enhancement of subsequent intake and preference for dried bonito dashi. The present study investigated taste substances in dried bonito dashi that enhance subsequent dashi preference by its prior exposure. Male C57BL/6N mice were initially exposed for 10 days to (1) dried bonito dashi, (2) a chemical mixture of taste substances identified in dried bonito dashi (artificially reconstituted dashi), or (3) individual chemical solutions such as NaCl, monosodium l-glutamate (MSG), inosine 5'-monophosphate (IMP), lactic acid, histidine, and glucose. Intakes of 0.01-100% dried bonito dashi with water were then measured using ascending concentration series of 2-day two-bottle choice tests. Prior exposure to 1-100% dashi enhanced subsequent dashi preference in a concentration-dependent manner and the greatest effects were attained with 10-100% dashi exposure. Exposure to the reconstituted dashi also enhanced subsequent dashi preference. Among individual chemical solutions, 0.1% IMP produced modest enhancement of subsequent dashi preference, but neither NaCl, MSG, histidine, lactic acid, nor glucose did. These results suggest that IMP is at least a key substance that produces experience-based enhancement of dried bonito dashi preference.

Integrated multi-omic data reveal the potential molecular mechanisms of the nutrition and flavor in Liancheng white duck meat

The Liancheng white (LW) duck is one of the most valued Chinese indigenous poultry breeds. Its meat is rich in nutrients and has distinct flavors, but the molecular mechanisms behind them are unknown. To address this issue, we measured and compared multi-omic data (genome, transcriptome, and metabolome) of breast meat from LW ducks and the Mianyang Shelduck (MS) ducks. We found that the LW duck has distinct breed-specific genetic features, including numerous mutant genes with differential expressions associated with amino acid metabolism and transport activities. The metabolome driven by genetic materials was also seen to differ between the two breeds. For example, several amino acids that are beneficial for human health, such as L-Arginine, L-Ornithine, and L-lysine, were found in considerably higher concentrations in LW muscle than in MS duck muscle (p < 0.05). SLC7A6, a mutant gene, was substantially upregulated in the LW group (p < 0.05), which may lead to excessive L-arginine and L-ornithine accumulation in LW duck meat through transport regulation. Further, guanosine monophosphate (GMP), an umami-tasting molecule, was considerably higher in LW muscle (p < 0.05), while L-Aspartic acid was significantly abundant in MS duck meat (p < 0.05), showing that the LW duck has a different umami formation. Overall, this study contributed to our understanding of the molecular mechanisms driving the enriched nutrients and distinct umami of LW duck meat, which will provide a useful reference for duck breeding.

Temporal profile of flavor enhancers MAG, MSG, GMP, and IMP, and their ability to enhance salty taste, in different reductions of sodium chloride

We evaluated the temporal profile of the flavor enhancers monosodium glutamate (MSG), disodium inosinate (IMP), disodium guanylate (GMP), and monoammonium glutamate (MAG). We also evaluated the ability of these flavor enhancers to enhance salty taste in solutions containing different reductions of sodium chloride. Four experiments were conducted using Central Composite Rotational Design (CCRD) with focus on two objectives: concentration of flavor enhancers (0% to 1%) and reduction of sodium chloride content (0% to 100%). A 0.75% saline solution of NaCl was used as a control. In each experiment, the treatments were evaluated by the intensity of salty and umami tastes using an intensity scale. Treatments, selected according to the results of CCRD, were analyzed using time-intensity (TI) and temporal dominance of sensations (TDS) analyses. Glutamates (MSG/MAG) showed greater capacity to enhance salty taste than treatments containing nucleotides (IMP/GMP). The intensity of umami taste, using all the examined flavor enhancers, showed a similar sensory profile. Temporal perception curves (TI and TDS) of salty and umami tastes also showed a similar temporal profile. The glutamic acid amino acids were better able to improve salty taste than nucleotides in any range of sodium chloride reduction. Flavor enhancers showed greater ability to increase salty taste in smaller reductions in sodium chloride content. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: This research expand the knowledge about the ability to enhance the salty taste of flavor enhancers in different reductions in sodium content, Beside that, will provide information about the time profile of flavor enhancers. This study provides scientific technical information on the ability to intensify the salty taste of flavor enhancers and can assist the industry to develop new low sodium products and encourage the scientific community to conduct future research on this subject.

Glutamate: Tastant and Neuromodulator in Taste Buds

In taste buds, glutamate plays a double role as a gustatory stimulus and neuromodulator. The detection of glutamate as a tastant involves several G protein-coupled receptors, including the heterodimer taste receptor type 1, member 1 and 3 as well as metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluR1 and mGluR4). Both receptor types participate in the detection of glutamate as shown with knockout animals and selective antagonists. At the basal part of taste buds, ionotropic glutamate receptors [N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) and non-NMDA] are expressed and participate in the modulation of the taste signal before its transmission to the brain. Evidence suggests that glutamate has an efferent function on taste cells and modulates the release of other neurotransmitters such as serotonin and ATP. This short article reviews the recent developments in the field with regard to glutamate receptors involved in both functions as well as the influence of glutamate on the taste signal.

L-Amino Acids Elicit Diverse Response Patterns in Taste Sensory Cells: A Role for Multiple Receptors

Umami, the fifth basic taste, is elicited by the L-amino acid, glutamate. A unique characteristic of umami taste is the response potentiation by 5’ ribonucleotide monophosphates, which are also capable of eliciting an umami taste. Initial reports using human embryonic kidney (HEK) cells suggested that there is one broadly tuned receptor heterodimer, T1r1+T1r3, which detects L-glutamate and all other L-amino acids. However, there is growing evidence that multiple receptors detect glutamate in the oral cavity. While much is understood about glutamate transduction, the mechanisms for detecting the tastes of other L-amino acids are less well understood. We used calcium imaging of isolated taste sensory cells and taste cell clusters from the circumvallate and foliate papillae of C57BL/6J and T1r3 knockout mice to determine if other receptors might also be involved in detection of L-amino acids. Ratiometric imaging with Fura-2 was used to study calcium responses to monopotassium L-glutamate, L-serine, L-arginine, and L-glutamine, with and without inosine 5’ monophosphate (IMP). The results of these experiments showed that the response patterns elicited by L-amino acids varied significantly across taste sensory cells. L-amino acids other than glutamate also elicited synergistic responses in a subset of taste sensory cells. Along with its role in synergism, IMP alone elicited a response in a large number of taste sensory cells. Our data indicate that synergistic and non-synergistic responses to L-amino acids and IMP are mediated by multiple receptors or possibly a receptor complex.

Genetics of taste receptors

Taste receptors function as one of the interfaces between internal and external milieus. Taste receptors for sweet and umami (T1R [taste receptor, type 1]), bitter (T2R [taste receptor, type 2]), and salty (ENaC [epithelial sodium channel]) have been discovered in the recent years, but transduction mechanisms of sour taste and ENaC-independent salt taste are still poorly understood. In addition to these five main taste qualities, the taste system detects such noncanonical "tastes" as water, fat, and complex carbohydrates, but their reception mechanisms require further research. Variations in taste receptor genes between and within vertebrate species contribute to individual and species differences in taste-related behaviors. These variations are shaped by evolutionary forces and reflect species adaptations to their chemical environments and feeding ecology. Principles of drug discovery can be applied to taste receptors as targets in order to develop novel taste compounds to satisfy demand in better artificial sweeteners, enhancers of sugar and sodium taste, and blockers of bitterness of food ingredients and oral medications.

Flavor preferences conditioned by post-oral infusion of monosodium glutamate in rats

Monosodium glutamate (MSG), the prototypical umami source, can enhance preference for associated flavors in humans and rodents. Although MSG flavor preference has been attributed to its taste, vagally-mediated post-oral detection has also been demonstrated. Recent studies showed that water-restricted rats acquired a preference for a flavor paired with intragastric (IG) infusion of 60 mM MSG in rats. The present study extends this work by comparing MSG-based flavor conditioning in water- and food-restricted rats and testing the persistence of flavor preferences. Rats with IG catheters drank flavored solutions paired with volume-matched infusions of 60 mM MSG or water in daily 30-min sessions. Two training/test cycles were conducted, each with eight one-bottle training sessions followed by two two-bottle preference tests without infusions. Food- and water-restricted groups displayed similar preferences for the MSG-paired flavor. When non-reinforced testing was continued after the second cycle, the food-restricted group sustained its preference across three 2-day tests, but water-restricted rats lost their preference. Other food-restricted rats learned to prefer a flavor paired with intraduodenal infusion, indicating that gastric stimulation by MSG is not required. A third experiment showed that adding 2 mM of the nucleotide inosine monophosphate to the IG infusion of MSG did not significantly enhance flavor conditioning. Because MSG-based flavor preferences can be obtained with infusions that bypass the stomach, the site for detecting MSG reinforcement may be intestinal.

Umami taste transduction mechanisms

l-Glutamate elicits the umami taste sensation, now recognized as a fifth distinct taste quality. A characteristic feature of umami taste is its potentiation by 5'-ribonucleotides such as guanosine-5'-monophosphate and inosine 5'-monophosphate, which also elicit the umami taste on their own. Recent data suggest that multiple G protein-coupled receptors contribute to umami taste. This review will focus on events downstream of the umami taste receptors. Ligand binding leads to Gbetagamma activation of phospholipase C beta2, which produces the second messengers inositol trisphosphate and diacylglycerol. Inositol trisphosphate binds to the type III inositol trisphosphate receptor, which causes the release of Ca(2+) from intracellular stores and Ca(2+)-dependent activation of a monovalent-selective cation channel, TRPM5. TRPM5 is believed to depolarize taste cells, which leads to the release of ATP, which activates ionotropic purinergic receptors on gustatory afferent nerve fibers. This model is supported by knockout of the relevant signaling effectors as well as physiologic studies of isolated taste cells. Concomitant with the molecular studies, physiologic studies show that l-glutamate elicits increases in intracellular Ca(2+) in isolated taste cells and that the source of the Ca(2+) is release from intracellular stores. Both Galpha gustducin and Galpha transducin are involved in umami signaling, because the knockout of either subunit compromises responses to umami stimuli. Both alpha-gustducin and alpha-transducin activate phosphodiesterases to decrease intracellular cAMP. The target of cAMP in umami transduction is not known, but membrane-permeant analogs of cAMP antagonize electrophysiologic responses to umami stimuli in isolated taste cells, which suggests that cAMP may have a modulatory role in umami signaling.

Nonsynonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms in human tas1r1, tas1r3, and mGluR1 and individual taste sensitivity to glutamate

Several studies indicate an essential role of the heterodimer Tas1R1-Tas1R3 for monosodium l-glutamate (MSG) detection, although others suggest alternative receptors. Human subjects show different taste sensitivities to MSG, and some are unable to detect the presence of glutamate. Our objective was to study possible relations between phenotype (sensitivity to glutamate) and genotype (polymorphisms in candidate glutamate taste receptors tas1r1, tas1r3, mGluR4, and mGluR1) at the individual level. The sensitivity was measured with a battery of tests to distinguish the effect of sodium ions from the effect of glutamate ions in MSG. A total of 142 genetically unrelated white French subjects were categorized into 27 nontasters (specific ageusia), 21 hypotasters, and 94 tasters. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry showed expression of tas1r1, tas1r3, and alpha-gustducin in fungiform papillae in all 12 subjects tested, including subjects who presented specific ageusia for glutamate. Amplification and sequencing of cDNA and genomic DNA allowed the identification of 10 nonsynonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (nsSNPs) in tas1r1 (n = 3), tas1r3 (n = 3), and mGluR1 (n = 4). In our sample of subjects, the frequencies of 2 nsSNPs, C329T in tas1r1 and C2269T in tas1r3, were significantly higher in nontasters than expected, whereas G1114A in tas1r1 was more frequent in tasters. These nsSNPs along with minor variants and other nsSNPs in mGluR1, including T2977C, account for only part of the interindividual variance, which indicates that other factors, possibly including additional receptors, contribute to glutamate sensitivity.

Taste perception of monosodium glutamate and inosine monophosphate by 129P3/J and C57BL/6ByJ mice

Our previous studies have shown that in long-term two-bottle preference tests, mice from the C57BL/6ByJ (B6) inbred strain drink more monosodium glutamate (MSG) and inosine monophosphate (IMP) than mice from the 129P3/J (129) inbred strain. The goal of this study was to examine whether this variation in consumption could be attributed to strain differences in perception of the taste quality of MSG and IMP. We developed a conditioned taste aversion (CTA) in B6 and 129 mice to 100 mM MSG or 10 mM IMP and used a brief-access taste assay to examine CTA generalization. B6 and 129 mice did not differ in the generalization patterns following CTA to MSG: mice from both strains generalized CTA from MSG to NaCl. In contrast, strain differences in the generalization patterns were evident following the CTA to IMP: while mice from both strains generalized CTA from IMP to MSG, 129 mice tended to have stronger CTA generalization to saccharin and d-tryptophan, both of which are perceived as sweet by humans. These data suggest that the strain differences in MSG consumption are not due to variation in perception of the taste quality of MSG. Instead, the differential intake of IMP likely reflects strain differences in the way the taste quality of IMP is perceived. Our data suggest that mice perceive MSG and IMP as complex taste stimuli: some taste components are shared between these two substances, but their relative intensity seems to be different for MSG and IMP. The amiloride-sensitive salt taste component is more prevalent in MSG than in IMP taste, and in B6 compared with 129 mice.

Characterization of umami receptor and coupling G protein in mouse taste cells

Taste receptor cells (TRCs) express multiple umami receptors. We performed physiological investigations to determine whether umami-responding cells in taste buds possess G protein-coupled receptors and to determine what type of G proteins exist if any. To clarify the components that participate in intracellular umami signal transduction in mouse, we recorded the activation of TRCs. TRCs treated with the G protein inhibitor GDP-beta-S lost umami-induced inward currents. Treatment with the Galphai inhibitor, pertussis toxin, did not increase the intracellular Ca2+ level in many TRCs. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that a subset of TRCs responding to umami stimuli expressed alpha-gustducin. Thus, we demonstrated that umami stimuli were received by G protein-coupled receptors that function together with some of the Galphai family members.

Behavioral comparison of sucrose and l-2-amino-4-phosphonobutyrate (L-AP4) tastes in rats: does L-AP4 have a sweet taste?

Even though it is generally thought that umami stimuli such as monosodium glutamate (MSG) and sweet stimuli such as sucrose are detected by different taste receptors, these stimuli appear to share taste qualities when amiloride (a sodium channel blocker) is present to reduce the sodium taste. Single fiber recording studies of the facial and glossopharyngeal nerves have shown that encoding of L-2-amino-4-phosphonobutyrate (L-AP4), a potent mGluR4 agonist that elicits a taste quite similar to MSG, may occur in the same fibers that also encode sweet stimuli. This suggests that L-AP4 and sweet substances may activate common receptors or afferent signaling mechanisms. We report results of behavioral experiments that test this hypothesis. In the first study, rats conditioned to avoid sucrose or L-AP4 generalized the aversion to the opposite substance, indicating that both substances elicited similar tastes. However, two taste discrimination experiments showed that rats easily discriminated between sucrose and L-AP4 over a wide range of concentrations, even when the cue function of sodium associated with L-AP4 was reduced by amiloride and neutralized by adding equimolar concentrations of NaCl to sucrose. These data suggest that even though L-AP4 and sucrose elicit similar taste qualities, one or both substances also elicit other taste qualities not shared by the opposite substance. They also suggest that the taste-mGluR4 receptor and the signal pathway activated by L-AP4 are not the same as those activated by sucrose. These data, when combined with fiber recording data, suggest that there is convergence of L-AP4 and sucrose signals at some point early in the gustatory pathway.

Immuno-localization of vesicular acetylcholine transporter in mouse taste cells and adjacent nerve fibers: indication of acetylcholine release

Acetylcholine (ACh) is well established as a neurotransmitter and/or neuromodulator in various organs. Previously, it has been shown by Ogura (J Neurophysiol 87:2643-2649, 2002) that in both physiological and immunohistochemical studies the muscarinic acetylcholine (ACh) receptor is present in taste receptor cells. However, it has not been determined if ACh is released locally from taste receptor cells and/or surrounding nerve fibers. In this study we investigated the sites of ACh release in mouse taste tissue using the antisera against vesicular ACh transporter (VAChT), a key element of ACh-containing vesicles. Our data show that VAChT-immunoreactivity is present in many taste receptor cells, including cells expressing the transient receptor potential channel M5 (TRPM5). In taste cells, VAChT-immunoreactivity was colocalized with the immunoreactivity to choline-acetyltransferase (ChAT), which synthesizes ACh. Additionally, enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) was detected in the taste cells of BAC-transgenic mice, in which eGFP was placed under the control of endogenous ChAT transcriptional regulatory elements (ChAT(BAC)-eGFP mice). Furthermore, many ChAT-immunolabeled taste cells also reacted to an antibody against the vesicle-associated membrane protein synaptobrevin-2. These data suggest that ACh-containing vesicles are present in taste receptor cells and ACh release from taste cells may play a role in autocrine and/or paracrine cell-to-cell communication. In addition, certain nerve fibers surrounding or within taste buds were immunoreactive for the VAChT antibody. Some of these fibers were also immunolabeled with antibody against calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), a marker for trigeminal peptidergic fibers. Thus, functions of taste receptor cells could be modulated by trigeminal fibers via ACh release as well.

Tastants evoke cAMP signal in taste buds that is independent of calcium signaling

We previously showed that rat taste buds express several adenylyl cyclases (ACs) of which only AC8 is known to be stimulated by Ca2+. Here we demonstrate by direct measurements of cAMP levels that AC activity in taste buds is stimulated by treatments that elevate intracellular Ca2+. Specifically, 5 microM thapsigargin or 3 microM A-23187 (calcium ionophore), both of which increase intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i), lead to a significant elevation of cAMP levels. This calcium stimulation of AC activity requires extracellular Ca2+, suggesting that it is dependent on Ca2+ entry rather than release from stores. With immunofluorescence microscopy, we show that the calcium-stimulated AC8 is principally expressed in taste cells that also express phospholipase Cbeta2 (i.e., cells that elevate [Ca2+]i in response to sweet, bitter, or umami stimuli). Taste transduction for sucrose is known to result in an elevation of both cAMP and calcium in taste buds. Thus we tested whether the cAMP increase in response to sucrose is a downstream consequence of calcium elevation. Even under conditions of depletion of stored and extracellular calcium, the cAMP response to sucrose stimulation persists in taste cells. The cAMP signal in response to monosodium glutamate stimulation is similarly unperturbed by calcium depletion. Our results suggest that tastant-evoked cAMP signals are not simply a secondary consequence of calcium modulation. Instead, cAMP and released Ca2+ may represent independent second messenger signals downstream of taste receptors.

Umami responses in mouse taste cells indicate more than one receptor

A number of gustatory receptors have been proposed to underlie umami, the taste of L-glutamate, and certain other amino acids and nucleotides. However, the response profiles of these cloned receptors have not been validated against responses recorded from taste receptor cells that are the native detectors of umami taste. We investigated umami taste responses in mouse circumvallate taste buds in an intact slice preparation, using confocal calcium imaging. Approximately 5% of taste cells selectively responded to L-glutamate when it was focally applied to the apical chemosensitive tips of receptor cells. The concentration-response range for L-glutamate fell approximately within the physiologically relevant range for taste behavior in mice, namely 10 mm and above. Inosine monophosphate enhanced taste cell responses to L-glutamate, a characteristic feature of umami taste. Using pharmacological agents, ion substitution, and immunostaining, we showed that intracellular pathways downstream of receptor activation involve phospholipase C beta2. Each of the above features matches those predicted by studies of cloned and expressed receptors. However, the ligand specificity of each of the proposed umami receptors [taste metabotropic glutamate receptor 4, truncated metabotropic glutamate receptor 1, or taste receptor 1 (T1R1) and T1R3 dimers], taken alone, did not appear to explain the taste responses observed in mouse taste cells. Furthermore, umami responses were still observed in mutant mice lacking T1R3. A full explanation of umami taste transduction may involve novel combinations of the proposed receptors and/or as-yet-undiscovered taste receptors.

Making sense with TRP channels: store-operated calcium entry and the ion channel Trpm5 in taste receptor cells

The sense of taste plays a critical role in the life and nutritional status of organisms. During the last decade, several molecules involved in taste detection and transduction have been identified, providing a better understanding of the molecular physiology of taste receptor cells. However, a comprehensive catalogue of the taste receptor cell signaling machinery is still unavailable. We have recently described the occurrence of calcium signaling mechanisms in taste receptor cells via apparent store-operated channels and identified Trpm5, a novel candidate taste transduction element belonging to the mammalian family of transient receptor potential channels. Trpm5 is expressed in a tissue-restricted manner, with high levels in gustatory tissue. In taste cells, Trpm5 is co-expressed with taste-signaling molecules such as alpha-gustducin, Ggamma(13), phospholipase C beta(2) and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor type III. Biophysical studies of Trpm5 heterologously expressed in Xenopus oocytes and mammalian CHO-K1 cells indicate that it functions as a store-operated channel that mediates capacitative calcium entry. The role of store-operated channels and Trpm5 in capacitative calcium entry in taste receptor cells in response to bitter compounds is discussed.