MB&B & Neuroscience Seminar: “The sour taste receptor OTOP1 defines a new family of proton-selective ion channels”

In the process of searching for the elusive receptor for sour taste, we made the unexpected discovery of a previously undescribed family of ion channel selective for protons (proton channels). Evidence that OTOP1 functions as a sour taste receptor and progress towards understanding the structural and functional basis of gating and permeation of this novel class of membrane proteins will be described. In addition to the taste system, OTOP channels are expressed in a wide array of cell types where they may contribute to pH sensing, proton transport or pH homeostasis.