Alcohol Activates a Sucrose-Responsive Gustatory Neural Pathway

A strong positive association exists between the ingestion of alcohol and sweet-tasting solutions. The neural mechanisms underlying this relationship are unknown, although recent data suggest that gustatory substrates are involved. Here, we examined the role of sweet taste receptors and central neural circuits for sugar taste in the gustatory processing of ethanol. Taste responses to ethanol (3, 5, 10, 15, 25, and 40% vol/vol) and stimuli of different taste qualities (e.g., sucrose, NaCl, HCl, and quinine-HCl) were recorded from neurons of the nucleus of the solitary tract in anesthetized rats prior to and after oral application of the sweet receptor blocker gurmarin. The magnitude of ethanol-evoked activity was compared between sucrose-responsive ( n = 21) and sucrose-unresponsive ( n = 20) neurons and the central neural representation of ethanol taste was explored using multivariate analysis. Ethanol produced robust concentration-dependent responses in sucrose-responsive neurons that were dramatically larger than those in sucrose-unresponsive cells. Gurmarin selectively and similarly inhibited ethanol and sucrose responses, leaving NaCl, HCl, and quinine responses unaltered. Across-neuron patterns of response to ethanol were most similar to those evoked by sucrose, becoming increasingly more so as the ethanol concentration was raised. Results implicate taste receptors for sucrose as candidate receptors for ethanol and reveal that alcohol and sugar taste are represented similarly by gustatory activity in the CNS. These findings have important implications for the sensory and reward properties of alcohol.

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Sweet Taste Receptor Signaling Network: Possible Implication for Cognitive Functioning

Neurology Research International ◽

10.1155/2015/606479 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 2015 ◽

pp. 1-13 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Menizibeya O. Welcome ◽

Nikos E. Mastorakis ◽

Vladimir A. Pereverzev

Keyword(s):

Cognitive Functioning ◽

Transmembrane Protein ◽

Taste Receptor ◽

Sweet Taste ◽

The Body ◽

Taste Receptors ◽

Receptor Signaling ◽

Sweet Taste Receptor ◽

Sweet Taste Receptors

Sweet taste receptors are transmembrane protein network specialized in the transmission of information from special “sweet” molecules into the intracellular domain. These receptors can sense the taste of a range of molecules and transmit the information downstream to several acceptors, modulate cell specific functions and metabolism, and mediate cell-to-cell coupling through paracrine mechanism. Recent reports indicate that sweet taste receptors are widely distributed in the body and serves specific function relative to their localization. Due to their pleiotropic signaling properties and multisubstrate ligand affinity, sweet taste receptors are able to cooperatively bind multiple substances and mediate signaling by other receptors. Based on increasing evidence about the role of these receptors in the initiation and control of absorption and metabolism, and the pivotal role of metabolic (glucose) regulation in the central nervous system functioning, we propose a possible implication of sweet taste receptor signaling in modulating cognitive functioning.

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The Role of Bitter and Sweet Taste Receptors in Upper Airway Immunity

Current Allergy and Asthma Reports ◽

10.1007/s11882-015-0571-8 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 15 (12) ◽

Cited By ~ 28

Author(s):

Alan D. Workman ◽

James N. Palmer ◽

Nithin D. Adappa ◽

Noam A. Cohen

Keyword(s):

Upper Airway ◽

Sweet Taste ◽

Taste Receptors ◽

Sweet Taste Receptors

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EXTRAORAL SWEET TASTE RECEPTORS IN RESPIRATORY SYSTEM

Medical academic journal ◽

10.17816/maj18127-33 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

pp. 27-33 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

V N Mineev ◽

P V Brukhanova ◽

D E Koksharova

Keyword(s):

Diabetes Mellitus ◽

Respiratory Tract ◽

Antimicrobial Peptides ◽

Respiratory System ◽

Clinical Medicine ◽

Sweet Taste ◽

Scientific Basis ◽

Taste Receptors ◽

Sweet Taste Receptors

The possible pathogenetic role of extraoral sweet taste receptors Tas1R in respiratory system is considered. In many respects, the function of extraoral receptors for sweet taste still remains unclear. The mechanism of intracellular signal transduction at sweet taste reception is considered, as well as the molecular mechanism of interaction of Tas2R and Tas1R receptors, expressed on the same cell. Tas1R receptors in respiratory system can function as a “rheostat” to control the amount of secretion of antimicrobial peptides that is mediated by extraoral bitter taste receptors Tas2R, depending on the concentration of glucose on the surface of the airways. In diabetes mellitus, the liquid on the luminal surface of respiratory tract contains an increased concentration of glucose, which leads to overexpression of TAS1R2 / TAS1R3, inhibition of Tas2R signaling activity and to decrease in secretion of antimicrobial peptides. Clinically, the effect on glucose homeostasis in the lumen of the respiratory tract with comorbid respiratory pathology, including diabetes mellitus, is considered. A possible sequence of pathogenetic mechanisms in respiratory system, associated with extraoral sweet taste receptors is presented as a vicious circle. Research into the problem of role of the ectopic chemosensory network in clinical medicine will bring new knowledge on the predisposition to diseases, a deeper understanding of the mechanisms of their development, and will serve as a scientific basis for developing new medicinal approaches.

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Taste receptors are our mediators in shaping the taste preferences of a child

Medical Council ◽

10.21518/2079-701x-2018-17-50-55 ◽

2018 ◽

pp. 50-55

Author(s):

I. N. Zakharova ◽

A. N. Kasyanova ◽

Yu. А. Dmitrieva ◽

Е. B. Machneva

Keyword(s):

Genetic Factors ◽

Sweet Taste ◽

Practical Significance ◽

Cellular Structures ◽

Taste Preferences ◽

Taste Receptors ◽

Genetic Determinants ◽

Umami Taste ◽

Sweet Taste Receptors

The article presents modern data on the main molecular and genetic determinants of shaping the taste preferences. The authors present the structure and mechanism of the functioning of sweet taste receptors, umami taste, acidic and bitter tastes, as well as other molecules and cellular structures influencing the perception of flavors – the gust protein, toll-like receptors. They described the role of structures ensuring perception of taste outside the oral cavity – the cells of the hypothalamus. The article underlines the importance of the genetic polymorphism of these structures and the importance of interaction of genetic factors and environmental factors in shaping the taste preferences and eating behavior of the infant. Particular attention is given to the practical significance of the presented data in the context of introduction of supplemental foods for infants.

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