Whole-cell recording from non-dissociated taste cells in mouse taste bud

A method for the whole-cell recording from non-dissociated taste cells within mouse taste bud is described. The lingual epithelial sheet containing the taste buds was peeled free from the tongue by injecting a proteolytic enzyme, elastase, under the lingual epithelium and by incubating it in normal Tyrode solution at 30 degrees C. The preparation consisting of a taste bud and a small piece of the lingual epithelium was obtained by further the incubation in divalent cation-free Tyrode solution. After holding the small piece of the epithelium by a holding pipette loaded with continuous negative pressure for keeping the orientation of the taste bud, whole-cell configuration was established in a non-dissociated taste cell within the taste bud with a patch pipette containing Lucifer Yellow, Taste stimuli or blockers were applied from the third pipette placed near the taste pore under the continuous flow of bathing solution. Under this condition, we could simultaneously accomplish patch-clamping, visualization of taste cell morphology, localized taste stimulation and maintenance of microenvironment around the taste organ. Rapid responses to a relatively high concentration of salt stimuli were also obtained.