| Abstract: | Effects of serotonin precursors on the metabolism of 5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT) in dumbbell shaped cells of the frog taste buds werestudied using fluorescence microscopy. The injection of DL-tryptophanand 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTp) resulted in an increase in thecells' fluorescence intensity and in the number of cells inthe taste bud. Pyromycin, in doses not affecting the taste budstructure, prevented the tryptophan-induced increase in thenumber of fluorescent cells. The participation of specific proteinsin the mechanism underlying this phenomenon is suggested. |
