Mouse TMC4 is involved in the detection of chloride taste of salts

Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 2024 Jan 24;88(2):203-205. doi: 10.1093/bbb/zbad155.

Abstract

Licking behavior with various salts in transmembrane channel-like 4 (Tmc4) knockout (KO) mice was observed. In Tmc4 KO mice, a significant decrease in sensitivity to chloride salts, such as NaCl, KCl, and NH4Cl, was observed, while no significant decrease in sensitivity to Na-gluconate was observed. This finding suggests that TMC4 may be involved in the detection of chloride taste.

Keywords: TMC4; chloride channel; chloride salt; licking behavior; salty taste.

MeSH terms

  • Amiloride
  • Animals
  • Chlorides*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Potassium Chloride / pharmacology
  • Salts*
  • Taste

Substances

  • Amiloride
  • Chlorides
  • Potassium Chloride
  • Salts