The molecular physiology of taste transduction

Taste receptor cells use a variety of mechanisms to transduce chemical info rmation into cellular signals. Seven-transmembrane-helix receptors initiate signaling cascades by coupling to G proteins, effector enzymes, second mes sengers and ion channels. Apical ion channels pass ions, leading to depolar izing and/or hyperpolarizing responses. New insights into the mechanisms of taste sensation have been gained from molecular cloning of the transductio n elements, biochemical elucidation of the transduction pathways, and elect rophysiological analysis of the function of taste cell ion channels.