Contact Information

(267) 519-4674

Zaza Kokrashvili

Research Associate

Education

Ph.D., Cell Biology; University of Georgia (Tbilisi, Georgia)

Research Summary

I am interested in the integrative physiology underlying chemosensory responses of endocrine cells. We have found taste signaling proteins to be expressed in enteroendocrine cells of intestine and in endocrine islet cells of pancreas. Both types of endocrine cells use taste signaling proteins to detect sweeteners. Hormone release from these endocrine cells depends on their expressed taste signaling proteins. Most recently we have found that the taste cells themselves are endocrine in nature and release hormones in response to tastants. My studies have relevance to satiety, appetite, obesity and diabetes.

Keywords

taste receptor, gastrointestinal chemosensation, endocrine function, hormones, signal transduction, metabolic disorders, metabolism

Recent Publications

Kokrashvili Z, Mosinger B, Margolskee RF. T1r3 and alpha-gustducin in gut regulate secretion of glucagon-like peptide-1.Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2009 Jul;1170:91-4.

Kokrashvili Z, Mosinger B, Margolskee RF. Taste signaling elements expressed in gut enteroendocrine cells regulate nutrient-responsive secretion of gut hormones. Am J Clin Nutr. 2009. July 1 [Epub ahead of print]

Kokrashvili Z, Rodriguez D, Yevshayeva V, Zhou H, Margolskee RF, Mosinger B. Release of endogenous opioids from duodenal enteroendocrine cells requires Trpm5. Gastroenterology. 2009 Aug;137(2):598-606, 606.e1-2. Epub 2009 Mar 9.

Dyer J, Daly K, Salmon KS, Arora DK, Kokrashvili Z, Margolskee RF, Shirazi-Beechey SP. Intestinal glucose sensing and regulation of intestinal glucose absorption. Biochem Soc Trans. 2007 Nov;35 (Pt 5):1191-4. Review.

Jang, H.J., Kokrashvili, Z., Theodorakis, M.J., Carlson, O.D., Kim, B.J., Xu, X., Chan, S.L., Juhaszova, M.,Bernier, M., Mosinger, B., Margolskee, R.F., Egan, J. Gut-expressed taste receptors regulate secretion of glucagon-like peptide-1. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci, USA, 2007, 104: 15069-74.

Margolskee, R.F., Dyer, J., Kokrashvili, Z., Salmon, K.S.H, Ilegems, E., Mosinger, B., Shirazi-Beechey, S. (2007) Gut-expressed sweet taste receptor senses dietary sugars to regulate glucose absorption. Proc.Natl. Acad. Sci, USA, 2007, 104: 15075-80.