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Abstract

To perceive environmental chemical compounds and to convert these external
signals into an intracellular message might be the oldest way for a living being to
get information from the outside world. Chemoreceptors are proteins or protein
complexes that detect molecules from the outside world either at distance (olfaction)
or at close range (gustation). Chemoreceptors can operate as ionotropic or as
metabotropic receptors. Ionotropic receptors form ion channels that are activated
via ligand binding. Activation of a metabotropic receptor initiates an intracellular
signaling cascade that could include a change of enzymatic activity, production of
second messenger or activation of ion channels. The receptor performance has to be
fine-tuned according to the actual physiological requirements and the presentation
of the chemical signal. This Research Topic collects reports and reviews on structure
and function of chemoreceptors in the animal kingdom, and how these receptors
are regulated.