Distribution of amiloride-sensitive sodium channels in the oral cavity of the hamster

The distribution of amiloride-sensitive sodium channels (ASSCs) in tastebuds isolated from the oral cavity of hamsters was assessed by patch clamprecording. In contrast to the case for rats, taste cells from thefungiform, foliate and vallate papillae and from the soft palate allcontain functional ASSCs. The differential distribution of ASSCs betweenthe hamster and the rat may be important for understanding the physiologyunderlying the differing behavioral responses of these species to sodiumsalts.