Age-Related Expression of α-Gustducin in the Rat Larynx

Objectives: The age-related changes in distribution of alpha-gustducin-immunoreactive structures in the larynx of Sprague-Dawley rats were studied. Methods: For this purpose, tissues obtained from 12 male rats ranging in age from 5 to 21 weeks were compared with respect to the distribution and morphology of laryngeal taste buds immunoreactive for alpha-gustducin, the alpha-subunit of a taste cell-specific G protein. Results: Three different morphological types of alpha-gustducin-immunoreactive structures were seen: typical gemmal forms, clusters composed of 2 or 3 cells, and isolated immunoreactive cells not associated with taste buds. alpha-Gustducin-immunoreactive structures were most abundant in the epiglottis in all age groups. alpha-Gustducin-immunoreactive cells in rats seem to be located along the lateral food channels, in which they may come in contact with food. The total number of these alpha-gustducin-immunoreactive structures did not show any age-related changes, but the percentage of,e solitary immunoreactive cells in 5-week-old rats was significantly larger than the percentages in 8-, 14-, and 21-week-old animals. Conclusions: Solitary alpha-gustducin-immunoreactive cells, which are abundant in 5-week-old rats but are found in fewer numbers along the base of the epiglottis in mature rats, may be nociceptic in function, whereas the chemosensory clusters or buds that contain alpha-gustducin-positive cells and are distributed along the lateral food channels on the pharyngeal side of the larynx may have a role in gustatory reception.