Gustducin is a taste-cell-specific G protein closely related to the transducins.

McLaughlin, S K; McKinnon, P J; Margolskee, R F · Nature · 1992

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

A novel G protein alpha-subunit (alpha-gustducin) has been identified and cloned from taste tissue. alpha-Gustducin messenger RNA is expressed in taste buds of all taste papillae (circumvallate, foliate and fungiform); it is not expressed in non-sensory portions of the tongue, nor is it expressed in the other tissues examined. alpha-Gustducin most closely resembles the transducins (the rod and cone photoreceptor G proteins), suggesting that gustducin's role in taste transduction is analogous to that of transducin in light transduction.

Medical subject headings