Expression of signaling and junctional proteins in taste cells. (A) Linear RNA amplification and PCR analysis of the indicated gene transcripts in a preparation of single cells of type A. The expected amplification products were obtained for Cx26, Cx30.3, Cx31.1, Cx33, Cx36, Cx43, Px1, TRPM5, and PLCβ2. Transcripts for Cx 32 (lane 4), Cx 45 (lane 8), and Cx 47 (lane 9) were not detected, although relevant products were amplified in control preparations of the brain (not shown). Molecular weight markers (M) from Gene Ruler 1-kb ladder (Fermentas). The 1.4% agarose gels were stained with ethidium bromide. (B, C) Confocal images of mouse circumvallate taste buds double labeled with antibodies against Px1 (green) and PLCβ2 or TRPM5 (red). Right panels show the merged images indicating the significant overlap in expression (yellow–orange) of Px1 with PLCβ2 and/or TRPM5 in type II taste cells.