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Expression of catfish amino acid taste receptors inXenopus oocytes

Neurochemical Research volume 15, pages 449–456 (1990)Cite this article

Abstract

We demonstrate that poly (A+)RNA isolated from catfish barbels directs the expression of functional amino acid taste receptors in theXenopus oocyte. The activity of these receptors is monitored in ovo by the two electrode voltage clamp technique. Specific conductance changes recorded in response to amino acid stimulation are analogous to those recorded electrophysiologically from intact catfish barbels. These responses exhibit specificity, reproducibility, rapid onset and termination, and desensitization to repetitive stimulation. A functional assay system that encompasses the full complement of transduction events from the ligand-receptor interaction to subsequent conductance changes is necessary to identify molecular components responsible for these events. Our results demonstrate that theXenopus oocyte can be used to characterize and identify clones coding for amino acid taste receptors analogous to its use in studying receptor molecules for other neuroactive compounds.

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Author information

Affiliations

  1. Department of Neuroscience, Roche Institute of Molecular Biology, Roche Research Center, 07110, Nutley, N.J., USA

    Thomas V. Getchell, Mary Grillo, Suresh S. Tate, Reiko Urade &  Frank L. Margolis

  2. The Monell Chemical Senses Center, 19104, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    John Teeter

Authors
  1. Thomas V. Getchell
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  2. Mary Grillo
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  3. Suresh S. Tate
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  4. Reiko Urade
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  5. John Teeter
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  6. Frank L. Margolis
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Special issue is dedicated to Dr. Sidney Udenfriend.

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Getchell, T.V., Grillo, M., Tate, S.S. et al. Expression of catfish amino acid taste receptors inXenopus oocytes. Neurochem Res 15, 449–456 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00969932

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Key Words

  • Amino acid receptors
  • poly (A+)RNA
  • translation and expression
  • Xenopus
  • taste
  • transduction
  • olfaction