Understanding the Chemosensory System of the Digestive Tract and Its Implications for Nutrition

Abstract

Organisms have evolved to sense their external surroundings and adapt to live in safer environments while efficiently obtaining energy. The digestive tract, essential for nutrient absorption, has undergone dramatic changes to recognize high-nutrient foods and enable efficient energy conversion. Simultaneously, as the digestive tract is exposed directly to foreign substances, it has evolved to recognize and avoid/eliminate potentially harmful materials. These functions are executed by cells such as endocrine cells and tuft cells, which possess chemical sensing systems. Clarification of the functions of these cells has been challenging due to their location within the body. However, recent advances in genetic engineering techniques, pharmacological approaches, and the use of new culture methods have propelled research in this field, ushering in a new era of chemosensory research in this field. The present review article focuses on recent insights into the chemical sensing system of the digestive tract.