The authors find that mammalian acid-sensing taste receptor cells, previously shown to be putative sour taste sensors, also mediate responses to water. Optogenetic activation of this population of cells in thirsty mice induced robust drinking response in the absence of water. This study shows that acid-sensing TRCs contribute to the detection of water in the oral cavity.
- Dhruv Zocchi
- Gunther Wennemuth
- Yuki Oka