TMC4 localizes to multiple taste cell types in the mouse taste papillae
Data files
Jan 15, 2026 version files 5.66 KB
Abstract
Salty taste is mediated through two distinct transduction pathways: the amiloride-sensitive and amiloride-insensitive (AI). Transmembrane channel-like 4 (TMC4), a voltage-dependent chloride channel, has recently been identified as playing a critical role in AI-mediated salt taste responses. Although its functional properties have been demonstrated, the specific taste cell types that express TMC4 have not been fully characterized. To investigate the cellular localization of TMC4, we generated Tmc4-EGFP knock-in mice and performed immunohistochemical analyses of the taste papillae. By performing multiple fluorescent immunostaining with cell-type-specific markers, such as KCNQ1 (type I–III), Gustducin and PLCβ2 (type II), and AADC (type III), together with EGFP, we found that over 98% of EGFP-positive cells overlapped with the signal of all three taste cell type markers in the circumvallate papillae of Tmc4-EGFP mice. In the fungiform papillae, 95.9% of EGFP-positive cells co-localized with KCNQ1. These results demonstrate that TMC4 is broadly expressed across all three taste cell types, and suggest the possible involvement of multiple, functionally distinct taste cell populations in AI-mediated salty taste transduction.
Dataset DOI: 10.5061/dryad.sbcc2frks
Description of the data and file structure
- Raw_data_for_KCNQ1_CvP_Table1.csv
- Raw_data_for_Gustducin_CvP_Table1.csv
- Raw_data_for_PLCb2_CvP_Table1.csv
- Raw_data_for_AADC_CvP_Table1.csv
Files and variables
File: Raw_data_for_KCNQ1_CvP_Table1.csv
Description: Results of double staining for KCNQ1 and EGFP in the CvP
Variables
- Sample ID: Circumvallate papillae (CvP) samples from three mice; immunoreactive cells were counted in three sections per CvP.
- Number of EGFP-positive cells: Number of EGFP-positive cells in double staining with KCNQ1 and EGFP
- Number of KCNQ1 positive cells: Number of KCNQ1-positive cells in double staining with KCNQ1 and EGFP
- double-positive cells: Number of KCNQ1 and EGFP-doble positive cells
- Number of taste buds: Number of taste buds observed per section
- Number of taste cells: Number of taste cells counted per section
File: Raw_data_for_Gustducin_CvP_Table1.csv
Description: Results of double staining for Gustducin and EGFP in the CvP
Variables
- Sample ID: CvP samples from three mice; immunoreactive cells were counted in three sections per CvP.
- Number of EGFP-positive cells: Number of EGFP-positive cells in double staining with Gustducin and EGFP
- Number of Gustducin positive cells: Number of Gustducin-positive cells in double staining with Gustducin and EGFP
- double-positive cells: Number of Gustducin and EGFP-doble positive cells
- Number of taste buds: Number of taste buds observed per section
- Number of taste cells: Number of taste cells counted per section
File: Raw_data_for_PLCb2_CvP_Table1.csv
Description: Results of double staining for PLCb2 and EGFP in the CvP
Variables
- Sample ID: CvP samples from three mice; immunoreactive cells were counted in three sections per CvP.
- Number of EGFP-positive cells: Number of EGFP-positive cells in double staining with PLCb2 and EGFP
- Number of PLCb2 positive cells: Number of PLCb2-positive cells in double staining with PLCb2 and EGFP
- double-positive cells: Number of PLCb2 and EGFP-doble positive cells
- Number of taste buds: Number of taste buds observed per section
- Number of taste cells: Number of taste cells counted per section
File: Raw_data_for_AADC_CvP_Table1.csv
Description: Results of double staining for AADC and EGFP in the CvP
Variables
- Sample ID: CvP samples from three mice; immunoreactive cells were counted in three sections per CvP.
- Number of EGFP-positive cells: Number of EGFP-positive cells in double staining with AADC and EGFP
- Number of AADC positive cells: Number of AADC-positive cells in double staining with AADC and EGFP
- double-positive cells: Number of AADC and EGFP-doble positive cells
- Number of taste buds: Number of taste buds observed per section
- Number of taste cells: Number of taste cells counted per section
File: Raw_data_for_KCNQ1_FuP_Table2.csv
Description: Results of double staining for KCNQ1 and EGFP in the FuP
Variables
- Sample ID: Fungiform papillae (FuP) samples from three mice; immunoreactive cells were counted in two sections per FuP.
- Number of EGFP-positive cells: Number of EGFP-positive cells in double staining with KCNQ1 and EGFP
- Number of KCNQ1 positive cells: Number of KCNQ1-positive cells in double staining with KCNQ1 and EGFP
- double-positive cells: Number of KCNQ1 and EGFP-doble positive cells
- Number of taste buds: Number of taste buds observed per section
- Number of taste cells: Number of taste cells counted per section