Dopamine-Beta-Hydroxylase and Norepinephrine Transporter Immunoreactivity in Rat Taste Buds

<p>Of the handful of neurotransmitters modulating taste response, norepinephrine (NE) may be the least understood. Although the physiological role of NE has been tested, it is still unclear whether the rat taste bud may serve as an endogenous source of neurotransmitter or if it must be taken up from outside the taste bud. Immunocytochemical analysis of DBH has shown that DBH–LIR is present in taste cells of the rat circumvallate papillae. Specifically, DBH–LIR is present in a subset of Type II taste cells. Nearly all (98%) DBH–LIR cells express PLCβ2–LIR, and about half (41%) of PLCβ2–LIR cells express DBH–LIR. DBH–LIR does not co–localize with NCAM, and thus, is not present in Type III cells.</p> <p>NET–LIR is present in the taste cells of the rat circumvallate papillae. Double labeling of NET–LIR and IP ₃R3–LIR indicates that NET is present in Type II taste cells. A large proportion (77%) of NET–LIR cells express IP₃R3–LIR and all (100%) IP₃R3–LIR cells express NET–LIR. A small proportion (7.8%) of NET–LIR cells also express syntaxin–1–LIR in Type III cells. About a third (32.8%) of syntaxin–1–LIR cells express NET–LIR.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S.

Level thesis:degree_level

Masters Thesis

Year dc:date.available

2012

Author dc:creator

• Walton, Jenna Ashley

Contributors dc:contributor

• John C. Kinnamon, Ph.D.
• Dwight Smith
• Scott Barbee
• Nancy Lorenzon

• Chemoreception
• Immunohistochemistry
• Norepinephrine
• Taste
• Biology
• Life Sciences

Statement dc:rights

• <p>Copyright is held by the author. User is responsible for all copyright compliance.</p>

Language dc:language

en

Repository record dc:identifier

https://digitalcommons.du.edu/etd/684

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:digitalcommons.du.edu:etd-1683