EXPRESSION OF FUNCTIONAL BITTER TASTE RECEPTOR T2R14 IN HUMAN SKIN KERATINOCYTES AND 293FT CELLS

Abstract

Current theories regarding skin somatosensation suggests that cutaneous nerves are frontline receptors for sensory stimuli and non-neuronal cutaneous cells have no involvement. Mounting evidence suggests that skin keratinocytes can act as receptors for sensory stimuli, and are able to transmit sensory signals to cutaneous nerves, thereby inducing somatosensation. Multiple proteins have been proposed to act as receptors for sensory stimuli in skin keratinocytes. This includes TRP channels, odorant receptors and taste receptors. Published evidence for the expression of functional taste receptors in skin keratinocytes requires more support. We provide evidence suggesting that human bitter taste receptor T2R14 is expressed and functional in primary and immortalized human skin keratinocytes.