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A metabotropic glutamate receptor variant functions as a taste receptor

Nature Neuroscience volume 3, pages 113–119 (2000)Cite this article

Abstract

Sensory transduction for many taste stimuli such as sugars, some bitter compounds and amino acids is thought to be mediated via G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), although no such receptors that respond to taste stimuli are yet identified. Monosodium L-glutamate (l-MSG), a natural component of many foods, is an important gustatory stimulus believed to signal dietary protein. We describe a GPCR cloned from rat taste buds and functionally expressed in CHO cells. The receptor couples negatively to a cAMP cascade and shows an unusual concentration–response relationship. The similarity of its properties to MSG taste suggests that this receptor is a taste receptor for glutamate.

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Figure 1: The 5′ end of mGluR4 cDNA from taste papillae contains novel sequence derived from an intron.
Figure 2: The truncated mRNA in taste papillae is a mature mRNA.
Figure 3: Taste-mGluR4 is activated by glutamate at much higher concentrations than brain-mGluR4.
Figure 4: Taste-mGluR4 is activated by L-AP4 at higher concentrations than is brain-mGluR4.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by grants from NIH/NIDCD (DC 03013) and from Cultor Food Science, Inc. We are also grateful for support from the Umami Manufacturers' Association of Japan during the early stages of this study. We acknowledge technical assistance from Cynthia Lamp and Helena de Carvalho.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Miami School of Medicine, P.O. Box 016430 (R430), Miami , 33101, Florida, USA

    Ana Marie Landin

  2. Program in Neuroscience, University of Miami School of Medicine, P.O. Box 016430 (R430), Miami, 33101, Florida, USA

    Nirupa Chaudhari & Stephen D. Roper

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  1. Nirupa Chaudhari
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Correspondence to Nirupa Chaudhari.

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Chaudhari, N., Landin, A. & Roper, S. A metabotropic glutamate receptor variant functions as a taste receptor . Nat Neurosci 3, 113–119 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1038/72053

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