Expression of the neural cell adhesion molecule in mouse taste buds after denervation

Expression of the neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) was studied by use o f an immunocytochemical technique in the taste buds of mouse circumvallate papillae after bilateral transection of the glossopharyngeal nerves. In unt reated mice, innervated type-III cells reacted with anti-NCAM antibody. Aft er denervation the taste buds gradually decreased in number and size, and w ere practically absent within 11 days. In parallel, NCAM-reactive cells dec reased at 3 and 8 days after surgery and at 11 days they were no longer fou nd. Three days after denervarion, synaptic contacts between type-m cells an d nerve fibres were not found because of the disappearance of nerve fibres. However, remaining type-III cells, characterized with dense-cored vesicles , still maintained NCAM expression on their plasma membrane until day 8.