Fig. 6.

Schematic representation of the presumed metabolic pathways originating from brush cells and type II taste cells in the GI tract.

Food components and digested nutrients are detected by the tongue and GI tract. In Skn-1 KO mice, the lack of type II taste cells and brush cells results in increased catecholamine secretion. Lipolysis in WAT, serum levels of total ketone bodies, and thermogenesis in muscle are increased, whereas insulin secretion from the pancreas is reduced. Consequently, Skn-1 KO mice have reduced body weight with lower body fat percentage due to higher energy expenditure.