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Villin is a possible marker of receptor cells in frog taste organs

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Abstract

We investigated lingual taste organs of four frog species mainly by means of fluorescence immunohistochemistry for villin, calbindin, and serotonin. Cells immunoreactive for villin appeared in the taste organs of all the species used. These villin-immunostained cells were basoapically elongated in shape and extended up to the apical surface. They were also immunoreactive for calbindin. On the other hand, serotonin-immunoreactive cells, identified as Merkel-like basal cells, were immunonegative for villin. Considering the present results combined with those of studies by other research groups, the villin-immunostained cells were postulated to function as taste receptors.

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Fig. 1a–c. Fig. 2a, b. Fig. 3a–c. Fig. 4a, b.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are deeply indebted to Prof. Y. Kitada, Department of Oral Physiology, School of Dentistry, Iwate Medical University, for valuable advice and suggestions. This study was supported by a Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research from the JSPS (number 15591951 to S.Y.).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anatomy, Nippon Dental University School of Dentistry, Hamauracho, 951-8580, Niigata, Japan

    Sumio Yoshie & Masahiko Kumakura

  2. Department of Oral Anatomy and Neurobiology, Kyushu Dental College, Kitakyushu, Japan

    Kuniaki Toyoshima

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  1. Sumio Yoshie
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  2. Masahiko Kumakura
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  3. Kuniaki Toyoshima
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Correspondence to Sumio Yoshie.

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Yoshie, S., Kumakura, M. & Toyoshima, K. Villin is a possible marker of receptor cells in frog taste organs. Histochem Cell Biol 119, 447–450 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00418-003-0533-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00418-003-0533-4

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