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Distribution of different taste buds and expression of α-gustducin in the barbells of yellow catfish (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco)

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Abstract

In order to explore the distribution of different taste buds in the barbells of yellow catfish (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco) collected from the Yangtze River, the quantity, morphology and distribution of different taste buds in the barbells was studied by bright-field optical microscope and scanning electron microscopy. The taste buds in the barbell were predominantly localized at the middle two thirds regions of the barbells, and could be categorized into three major types based on their morphological and histological features. Type I and II TB were distributed on the elevated layer of the surrounding epithelium, while Type III TB ended apically at the level with the epithelium. Significant quantitative differences (p < 0.05) in the TB number within unit length barbell were observed between NB and MB (p = 0.00001), NB and MIB (p = 0.00758), and NB and MOB (p = 0.00209); no significant differences (p > 0.05) were found between MB and MIB (p = 0.05293), MB and MOB (p = 0.05994) and MIB and MOB (p = 0.08320). The number, distribution and morphological variability of TBs could be a consequence of adaptation to the environment. α-Gustducin immunofluoresence signals were detected in cells of all types of TBs. The strong expression of α-gustducin on the barbells of catfish suggests that the taste-induced signal transduction in taste cells was common to all vertebrates.

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Abbreviations

ESEM:

environmental scanning electron microscopy

LCSM:

laser confocal scanning microscope

MB:

maxillar barbells

MIB:

mandibular inner barbells

MOB:

mandibular outer barbells

NB:

nasal barbells

TB:

taste bud

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Sensory Science Lab, College of Biology, Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, P.R. China

    Genhua Zhang, Shaoping Deng, Hongtao Li & Leilei Li

  2. Taste Biophysics Lab, Department of Biology, Changshu Institute of Technology, Changshu, Jiangsu province, P.R. China

    Genhua Zhang & Haiyun Zhang

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  1. Genhua Zhang
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  2. Shaoping Deng
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  3. Haiyun Zhang
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Correspondence to Shaoping Deng.

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Zhang, G., Deng, S., Zhang, H. et al. Distribution of different taste buds and expression of α-gustducin in the barbells of yellow catfish (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco). Fish Physiol Biochem 32, 55–62 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10695-006-6937-z

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