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Pathway Description
Taste Transduction: Salty
Homo sapiens
Category:
Metabolite Pathway
Sub-Category:
Physiological
Created: 2025-07-16
Last Updated: 2025-10-07
Salty taste transduction is primarily triggered by the presence of sodium ions (Na⁺) from salty foods. These ions enter specialized taste receptor cells through epithelial sodium channels (ENaCs), especially in areas of the tongue with high sodium sensitivity. The influx of Na⁺ causes the taste cell to depolarize, generating a receptor potential. This depolarization opens voltage-gated calcium channels, leading to an influx of calcium ions, which in turn triggers the release of neurotransmitters. These neurotransmitters activate sensory neurons that carry the signal to the brain, where it is perceived as a salty taste. This pathway allows the body to detect and regulate sodium intake, which is essential for maintaining electrolyte balance and proper cellular function.
References
Taste Transduction: Salty References
Lindemann, B. Receptors and transduction in taste. Nature 413, 219–225 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1038/35093032
Roper SD: Signal transduction and information processing in mammalian taste buds. Pflugers Arch. 2007 Aug;454(5):759-76. doi: 10.1007/s00424-007-0247-x. Epub 2007 Apr 28.
Pubmed: 17468883
Taruno, A., Nomura, K., Kusakizako, T. et al. Taste transduction and channel synapses in taste buds. Pflugers Arch - Eur J Physiol 473, 3–13 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00424-020-02464-4
Thompson K, Majd H, Dallabona C, Reinson K, King MS, Alston CL, He L, Lodi T, Jones SA, Fattal-Valevski A, Fraenkel ND, Saada A, Haham A, Isohanni P, Vara R, Barbosa IA, Simpson MA, Deshpande C, Puusepp S, Bonnen PE, Rodenburg RJ, Suomalainen A, Ounap K, Elpeleg O, Ferrero I, McFarland R, Kunji ER, Taylor RW: Recurrent De Novo Dominant Mutations in SLC25A4 Cause Severe Early-Onset Mitochondrial Disease and Loss of Mitochondrial DNA Copy Number. Am J Hum Genet. 2016 Oct 6;99(4):860-876. doi: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2016.08.014. Epub 2016 Sep 29.
Pubmed: 27693233
Korver-Keularts IM, de Visser M, Bakker HD, Wanders RJ, Vansenne F, Scholte HR, Dorland L, Nicolaes GA, Spaapen LM, Smeets HJ, Hendrickx AT, van den Bosch BJ: Two Novel Mutations in the SLC25A4 Gene in a Patient with Mitochondrial Myopathy. JIMD Rep. 2015;22:39-45. doi: 10.1007/8904_2015_409. Epub 2015 Mar 3.
Pubmed: 25732997
Neckelmann N, Li K, Wade RP, Shuster R, Wallace DC: cDNA sequence of a human skeletal muscle ADP/ATP translocator: lack of a leader peptide, divergence from a fibroblast translocator cDNA, and coevolution with mitochondrial DNA genes. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1987 Nov;84(21):7580-4. doi: 10.1073/pnas.84.21.7580.
Pubmed: 2823266
Voilley N, Bassilana F, Mignon C, Merscher S, Mattei MG, Carle GF, Lazdunski M, Barbry P: Cloning, chromosomal localization, and physical linkage of the beta and gamma subunits (SCNN1B and SCNN1G) of the human epithelial amiloride-sensitive sodium channel. Genomics. 1995 Aug 10;28(3):560-5. doi: 10.1006/geno.1995.1188.
Pubmed: 7490094
McDonald FJ, Price MP, Snyder PM, Welsh MJ: Cloning and expression of the beta- and gamma-subunits of the human epithelial sodium channel. Am J Physiol. 1995 May;268(5 Pt 1):C1157-63. doi: 10.1152/ajpcell.1995.268.5.C1157.
Pubmed: 7762608
Saxena A, Hanukoglu I, Saxena D, Thompson RJ, Gardiner RM, Hanukoglu A: Novel mutations responsible for autosomal recessive multisystem pseudohypoaldosteronism and sequence variants in epithelial sodium channel alpha-, beta-, and gamma-subunit genes. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2002 Jul;87(7):3344-50. doi: 10.1210/jcem.87.7.8674.
Pubmed: 12107247
Saxena A, Hanukoglu I, Strautnieks SS, Thompson RJ, Gardiner RM, Hanukoglu A: Gene structure of the human amiloride-sensitive epithelial sodium channel beta subunit. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 1998 Nov 9;252(1):208-13. doi: 10.1006/bbrc.1998.9625.
Pubmed: 9813171
Voilley N, Lingueglia E, Champigny G, Mattei MG, Waldmann R, Lazdunski M, Barbry P: The lung amiloride-sensitive Na+ channel: biophysical properties, pharmacology, ontogenesis, and molecular cloning. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1994 Jan 4;91(1):247-51. doi: 10.1073/pnas.91.1.247.
Pubmed: 8278374
McDonald FJ, Snyder PM, McCray PB Jr, Welsh MJ: Cloning, expression, and tissue distribution of a human amiloride-sensitive Na+ channel. Am J Physiol. 1994 Jun;266(6 Pt 1):L728-34. doi: 10.1152/ajplung.1994.266.6.L728.
Pubmed: 8023962
Ludwig M, Bolkenius U, Wickert L, Marynen P, Bidlingmaier F: Structural organisation of the gene encoding the alpha-subunit of the human amiloride-sensitive epithelial sodium channel. Hum Genet. 1998 May;102(5):576-81. doi: 10.1007/s004390050743.
Pubmed: 9654208
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