Effects of cytochalasin D on taste pores of rat fungiform papillae

Abstract

Effects of cytochalasin D on actin filaments in cells encircling taste pores were examined to clarify the functional role of actin filaments in the maintenance of taste pores in rat fungiform papillae, using a confocal laser microscope and a scanning electron microscope. Fluorescence in the taste pore cells was detected as a ring shape produced by actin staining with rhodamine-phalloidin. Treatment of fungiform papillae with cytochalasin D diminished the positive reactions in the taste pore cells and increased the inner diameter of the ring reactions. However, deformation of the taste pores in fungiform papillae was not detected under a scanning electron microscope after treatment with cytochalasin D. These findings suggest that the organization of actin filaments encircling the taste pores contributes to regulation of the taste pore’s size in rat fungiform papillae.