Cellular diversity and regeneration in taste buds

Taste buds are the sensory end organs for gustation, mediating sensations of salty, sour, bitter, sweet and umami as well as other possible modalities, for example, fat and kokumi. Understanding of the structure and function of these sensory organs has increased greatly in the last decades with advances in ultrastructural methods, molecular genetics, and in vitro models. This review will focus on the cellular constituents of taste buds, and molecular regulation of taste bud cell renewal and differentiation.

Automated summary

Taste buds are sensory end organs for gustation, mediating sensations such as salty, sour, bitter, sweet, and umami. Recent advances in ultrastructural methods, molecular genetics, and in vitro models have greatly increased understanding of these sensory organs. This review focuses on the cellular constituents of taste buds and the molecular regulation of taste bud cell renewal and differentiation.