Fatty acid independent mechanisms

As early as 1848, it had been suggested that sensory receptors transduce only one sensation, independent of the manner of stimulation. Behavioral experiments tend to support this theory. In 1919, Renqvist proposed that the initial reaction of taste stimulation takes place on the surface of the taste-cell membrane. The taste surfaces were regarded as colloidal dispersions in which the protoplasmic, sensory particles and their components were suspended in the liquor or solution to be tested. The taste sensation would then be due to adsorption of the substances in the solution, and equal degrees of sensation would correspond to adsorption of equal amounts. Therefore, the rate of adsorption of taste stimulants would be proportional to the total substances adsorbed. The phenomenon of taste differences between isomers was partly explained by the assumption that the mechanism of taste involves a three-dimensional arrangement for example, a layer of fatty acid floating on water would have its carboxylic groups anchored in the water whereas the long, hydrocarbon ends would project upwards. 

The texture of fat is influenced by a number of factors, including fatty acid and glyceride composition, solid fat content, crystal size and shape, nature of die crystal network, polymorphism, mechanical treatment, and temperature history (1). Many of these factors are interrelated, making it difficult to establish the independent effect of each. It is well recognized diat different fats preferentially occur in either P or p form (Table 1). 

El-Gedaily, Paesold, G., Chen, C-Y., Guiney, D.G., and Krause, M. 1997. Plasmid virulence gene expression induced by short-chain fatty acids in Salmonella dublin Identification of rpoS-dependent and rpoS-independent mechanisms. Journal of Bacteriology 179 1409-1412. 

Chow SC, Jondal M. Polyunsaturated free fatty acids stimulate an increase in cytosolic Ca by mobilizing the inositol L4,5-trisphosphate-sensitive Ca- pool in T cells through a mechanism independent of phosphoinositide turnover. J Biol Chem 1990 265 902-907. 

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