Robert Margolskee

Associate Director & Member

Education

M.D., Ph.D., Molecular Genetics; Johns Hopkins University

Research Summary

Dr. Margolskee’s basic science research focus has been on the molecular mechanisms of taste transduction, utilizing molecular biology, biochemistry, structural biology, electrophysiology and transgenesis to study the mechanisms of signal transduction in mammalian taste cells. The two themes of his current work are: 1. gastrointestinal chemosensation, or how the gut ”tastes“ nutrients and 2. endocrine properties of taste cells, or how gustation contributes to metabolic homeostasis.

Keywords

taste receptor, molecular biology, gastrointestinal chemosensation, transduction, taste signalling proteins, endocrine function

Recent Publications

Yee, K. K.; Sukumaran, S. K.; Kotha, R.; Gilbertson, T. A. and Margolskee, R. F. (2011) “Glucose transporters and atp-gated k+ (katp) metabolic sensors are present in type 1 taste receptor 3 (t1r3)-expressing taste cells.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA. 108, 5431-6.

Ilegems, E.; Iwatsuki, K.; Kokrashvili, Z.; Outhiriaradjou, B.; Ninomiya, Y. and Margolskee, R. F. (2010) “REEP2 enhances sweet receptor function by recruitment to lipid rafts.” Journal of Neuroscience. 30, 13774-83.

Murata, Y.; Yasuo, T.; Yoshida, R.; Obata, K.; Yanagawa, Y.; Margolskee, R. F. and Ninomiya, Y. (2010) “Action potential-enhanced ATP release from taste cells through hemichannels.” Neurophysiology. 104, 896-901.

Reed, D. R. and Margolskee, R. F. (2010) “Gustation genetics: Sweet gustducin!” Chemical Senses. 35, 549-50.

Yoshida, R.; Okhuri, T.; Jyotaki, M.; Yasuo, T.; Horio, N.; Yasumatsu, K.; Sanematsu, K.; Shigemura, N.; Yanamato, T.; Margolskee, R. F.; Ninomiya, Y. (2010) “Endocannabinoids selectively enhance sweet taste.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA. 107, 935-39.

Kokrashvili, Z.; Mosinger, B. and Margolskee, R. F. (2009) “Taste signaling elements expressed in gut enteroendocrine cells regulate nutrient-responsive secretion of gut hormones.” American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 90.3, 822S-5S.

Kokrashvili, Z.; Rodriguez, D.; Yevshayeva, V.; Zhou, H.; Margolskee, R. F. and Mosinger, B. (2009) “Release of endogenous opioids from duodenal enteroendocrine cells requires Trpm5.” Gastroenterology. 137.2, 598-606.

Maillet, E. L.; Margolskee, R. F. and Mosinger, B. (2009) “Phenoxy herbicides and fibrates potently inhibit the human chemosensory receptor subunit T1R3.” Journal of Medicinal Chemistry. 12, 6931-35.