Synaptophysin as a probable component of neurotransmission occurring in taste receptor cells

Taste signal is received in taste buds and transmitted via sensory afferent nerves to the brainstem. Although a signaling pathway involving phospholipase C-beta 2 has been shown to transduce taste signals of bitterness, sweetness and umami in taste receptor cells (Type II cells), these taste receptor cells appear to be different from the presynaptic cells (Type III cells) containing afferent synapses associated with nerve processes. To elucidate the neurotransmission system in the taste receptor cells expressing phospholipase C-beta 2, we searched for candidate molecules involved in the neurotransmission, and identified synaptophysin. Synaptophysin was expressed in the taste receptor cells expressing phospholipase C-beta 2, as well as in the presynaptic cells harboring synaptic structures with taste nerves and containing serotonin. Synaptophysin-immunoreactive signals were not limited to gustducin-positive bitter taste receptor cells, and sweet/umami taste receptor cells were indicated to also express synaptophysin. Expression of synaptophysin was already initiated 6 days after cell division, almost in synchrony with the initiation of phospholipase C-beta 2 expression. Synaptophysin-containing cells co-expressed vesicular-associated membrane protein 2, a v-SNARE molecule which is important for exocytosis. In addition, majority of the synaptophysin-expressing cells also expressed cholecystokinin, a neuropeptide expressed in taste buds. These results suggest that the taste receptor cells have a neurotransmission system involving synaptophysin, which occurs alternatively or additionally to a recently shown hemichannel system.