#South Korea #Seoul #Korea University #c-Kit protein #Taste buds

Discovering Sweet Taste Cell Resilience

Recent research from the Korea University College of Medicine highlights a significant breakthrough in understanding taste physiology, particularly concerning sweet taste perception. Led by Dr. Dong-Hoon Kim and Professor Yong Taek Jeong, this study, published on September 10, 2025, in the International Journal of Oral Science, unveils the protective role of a protein named c-Kit in sweet-sensing taste cells when peripheral nerve damage occurs.

Taste plays a critical role in human life, influencing our dietary choices and overall well-being. However, taste buds are delicate structures that rely on a network of nerves to function correctly. When these nerves suffer damage—due to injury or surgical intervention—the taste buds often degrade, later regenerating as nerve connections are reinstated. This regeneration mechanism, particularly how certain taste cells survive nerve injury, has historically remain unclear.

The Role of c-Kit Protein

The study reveals that sweet-sensing taste cells exhibit exceptional durability and resilience, largely thanks to the c-Kit protein. They discovered that when the c-Kit signaling pathway is inhibited, for instance using the cancer therapeutic agent imatinib (commonly known as Gleevec), the sweet taste cells were unable to survive. This effect underscores c-Kit's essential function in maintaining both the existence of sweet taste cells and their role in regenerating the entire taste bud following nerve damage.

To support their findings, the research team employed both mouse models and cultivated taste bud organoids. Their experiments demonstrated that the protective qualities of c-Kit are crucial; absent this protein, the normally resilient sweet taste cells disappeared and regeneration of the other taste cell types was hindered.

Delving Deeper into Taste Bud Resilience

In interviews, Professor Jeong elaborated on their findings, noting that taste buds consist of a diverse array of cells, each responsible for detecting distinct flavors such as sweet, bitter, salty, sour, and umami. The research confirms long-standing knowledge about the interconnectedness of taste buds and nerve pathways, especially during tissue regeneration.

The intriguing aspect of their work is the new understanding that cell type influences the extent of degeneration and recovery after nerve injury. Specifically, the sweet-sensing cells were revealed to be much more robust in comparison to other taste cell types—a revelation that could have broader implications for how we understand taste recovery.

Innovative Testing Methods

To examine the cell survivability, the researchers induced nerve injury in mice, which successfully mirrored the adverse conditions under which taste cells might lose functionality. The results were telling; c-Kit expressing sweet taste cells consistently showed a capacity for survival, even when conditions for their longevity were suppressed. Furthermore, the study revealed that, besides sweet taste cells, certain Type III cells appeared to develop stem-like qualities, contributing to the repair and maintenance of the epithelium surrounding the taste buds. Thus, the regenerative process involves diverse cell types in addition to sweet cells; Type III cells play a substantial role in the repair of taste bud integrity.

Future Implications

This research marks a monumental step forward, providing a new framework for selectively targeting specific taste cell types. Although it doesn’t result in immediate clinical applications, it lays the groundwork for future advancements in addressing taste disorders and enhancing nutritional science. The identification of c-Kit as a vital factor for resilience has profound implications, as it helps explain why sweet tastes persist longer than others in the event of nerve damage.

With this study, the foundation is set for a new era in taste research, potentially influencing approaches for patients who experience taste disorders, as well as informing future flavor science advancements.

Reference

• - Original Paper: c-Kit signaling confers damage-resistance to sweet taste cells upon nerve injury
• - Journal: International Journal of Oral Science
• - DOI: 10.1038/s41368-025-00387-3

Media Contact: Soo-Jin Jeon, Korea University College of Medicine, +82 2 3407 4040