original_query: What is gustducin and what is its association with taste and the gustatory system?
query: What is gustducin and what is its association with taste and the gustatory system?
answer: Gustducin is a G protein found in some taste receptor cells that plays a large role in the transduction of bitter, sweet, and umami stimuli.  It's similar in structure and function to transducin, suggesting taste evolved similarly to sight.  Research indicates gustducin is involved in mediating the bitter taste response, but isn't the sole mechanism.