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Research objectives
Dr. Huang's lab studies neurotransmitters
and signal transduction in peripheral gustatory sensory organs --
taste buds, using sophisticated anatomical and physiological methods.
We apply functional calcium imaging along with genetically-engineered
biosensor cell techniques to examine signal processing in taste buds.
Our lab has identified several neurotransmitters -- including serotonin
(5-HT), ATP, norepinephrine (NE) -- that are secreted from taste bud
cells and we have uncovered novel mechanisms for transmitter secretion.
A, micrograph of a fixed, isolated taste bud immunostained
for serotonin. Two immunopositive taste cells (red) are visible in
this plane of focus. B, micrograph of a Fura2-loaded (green) biosensor
cell abutted against an isolated taste bud in a living preparation.
(from Journal of Neuroscience 25(4): 843-847).
Recently, we used transgenic mice expressing
GFP in identified cell types. This will allow us to identify
and selectively test transmitter release from taste bud cells.
For instance, we identified gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) secreted
from Presynaptic (Type III) cells. We are learning that cell-to-cell
communication between neighboring taste cells is a key event before
signals are sent to the brain via primary sensory fibers. In
addition, we are exploring signal processing during sweet, bitter
and sour taste stimulation. Our lab plays a pioneering role
in the exploration of taste reception and provides important information
for sensory processing in human health and disease.
GABA immunostaining of an isolated, fixed taste
bud from a GAD67-GFP mouse.Many GABA immunopositive taste cells express
GFP (thick arrows), but some do not (thin arrows). This latter category
may be Type I cells (Courtesy of Elizabeth Pereira and from PLoS ONE
6(10):e25471).
Science
News and Information:
Mouse
Taste Cells Discriminate Sweet and Sour Tastes by Releasing Neurotransmitters
Recent Publications
Rodriguez-Diaz R, Dando R, Huang YA, Berggren P-O, Roper SD, Caicedo
A (2012) Real time detection of acetylcholine release from the human
endocrine pancreas. Nature Protocols 7(6):1015-1023.
Huang YA*, Grant J*, Roper SD (2012) Glutamatergic synaptic input
inhibits mouse taste buds. PLoS ONE 7(1):e30662. * These authors
contributed equally.
Huang YA, Pereira E, Roper SD (2011) Sour taste stimulates GABA secretion
from mouse Presynaptic (Type III) taste cells. PLoS ONE 6(10):e25471.
Huang YA, Stone LM, Pereira E, Yang R, Kinnamon JC, Dvoryanchikov
G, Chaudhari N, Finger TE, Kinnamon SC, Roper SD (2011) Knocking out
P2X receptors reduces transmitter secretion in taste buds. J Neurosci.
31(38):13654-13661.
Dvoryanchikov G*, Huang YA*, Barro-Soria R, Chaudhari N, Roper SD
(2011) GABA, GABA receptors, and GABAergic inhibition in mouse taste
buds. J Neurosci. 31(15):5782-5791. * These authors contributed
equally.
Huang YA, Roper SD (2010) Intracellular Ca2+ and TRPM5-mediated membrane
depolarization produce ATP secretion from taste receptor cells. J
Physiol. 588(13):2343-2350.
Huang YA, Dando RP, Roper SD (2009) Autocrine and paracrine roles
of ATP and Serotonin in mouse taste buds. J Neurosci. 29(44):
13909-13918.
Huang YA, Maruyama Y, Roper SD (2008) Norepinephrine is co-released
with serotonin in mouse taste buds. J. Neurosci. 28(49): 13088-13093.
Huang YA, Maruyama Y, Stimac R, Roper SD (2008) Presynaptic (Type
III) cells in mouse taste buds sense sour (acid) taste. J Physiol.
586: 2903-2912.
Huang YA, Maruyama Y, Dvoryanchikov G, Pereira E, Chaudhari N, Roper
SD (2007) The role of pannexin 1 hemichannels in ATP release and cell-cell
communication in mouse taste buds. Proc Natl Acad Sci. USA.
104(15): 6436-6441.
Huang YA, Maruyama Y, Lu KS, Pereira E, Plonsky I, Baur JE, Roper
SD (2005) Mouse taste buds use serotonin as a neurotransmitter. J
Neurosci. 25(4): 843-847.
Huang YA, Maruyama Y, Lu KS, Pereira E, Plonsky I, Baur JE, Roper
SD (2005) Using biosensors to detect the release of serotonin from
taste buds during taste stimulation. Arch Ital Biol. 143: 87-96.
Huang YA, Maruyama Y, Lu KS, Pereira E, Roper SD (2005) Mouse taste
buds release serotonin in response to taste stimuli. Chem Senses
Suppl 1, 30: i39-i40.
Huang YA, Wu YH, Lu KS (2003) Immunoelectron microscopic studies on
protein gene product 9.5 and calcitonin gene-related peptide in vallate
taste cells and related nerves in the guinea pig. Microsc Res Tech.
62: 383-395.
Huang YA, Lu KS (2001) TUNEL staining and electron microscopy studies
of apoptotic changes in guinea pig vallate taste cells after unilateral
glossopharyngeal denervation. Anat Embryol. 204: 493-501.
Huang YA, Lu KS (1996) Immunohistochemical studies on protein gene
product 9.5, serotonin and neuropeptides in vallate taste buds and
related nerves of the guinea pig. Arch Histol Cytol. 59: 433-441.
Huang YA, Lu KS (1996) Unilateral innervation of guinea pig vallate
taste buds as determined by glossopharyngeal neurectomy and HRP neural
tracing. J Anat. 189: 315-324.
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