| dc.description.abstract | Sensory information from the environment is required for life and survival, and it is detected by specialized
cells which togethermakeup the sensory system. The fish sensory system includes specialized organs
that are able to detect mechanical and chemical stimuli. In particular, taste buds are small organs located
on the tongue in terrestrial vertebrates that function in the perception of taste. In fish, taste buds occur
on the lips, the flanks, and the caudal (tail) fins of some species and on the barbels of others. In fish taste
receptor cells, different classes of ion channels have been detected which, like in mammals, presumably
participate in the detection and/or transduction of chemical gustatory signals. However, since some of
these ion channels are involved in the detection of additional sensory modalities, it can be hypothesized
that taste cells sense stimuli other than those specific for taste. This mini-review summarizes current
knowledge on the presence of transient-receptor potential (TRP) and acid-sensing (ASIC) ion channels in
the taste buds of teleosts, especially adult zebrafish. Up to now ASIC4, TRPC2, TRPA1, TRPV1 and TRPV4
ion channels have been found in the sensory cells, while ASIC2 was detected in the nerves supplying the
taste buds. | |
