Role of the ectonucleotidase NTPDase2 in taste bud function
Abstract
ATP, a ubiquitous source of energy for all cells, also serves as an important messenger for intercellular communication. This role as a signal molecule is especially crucial for taste buds, which release ATP to trigger purinergic receptors on the taste nerves. Normally, the released ATP is degraded by a specific enzyme, nucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase-2 (NTPDase2). We find that genetic elimination of NTPDase2 results in accumulation of ATP in extracellular space, thereby desensitizing the receptors on nerve fibers. The result is a loss of transmission of taste information from taste buds to the taste nerves. Disruption of taste function may be an unintended consequence of pharmaceutical agents now being developed to target purinergic receptors and enzymes as treatments for chronic pain and other illnesses.
- Publication:
-
Proceedings of the National Academy of Science
- Pub Date:
- September 2013
- DOI:
- 10.1073/pnas.1309468110
- Bibcode:
- 2013PNAS..11014789V