Role of taurine in the central nervous system

Taurine demonstrates multiple cellular functions including a central role as a neurotransmitter,as a trophic factor in cns development,in maintaining the structural integrity of the membrane,in regulating calcium transport and homeostasis,as an osmolyte,as a neuromodulator and as a neuroprotectant. the neurotransmitter properties of taurine are illustrated by its ability to elicit neuronal hyperpolarization,the presence of specific taurine synthesizing enzyme and receptors in the cns and the presence of a taurine transporter system. taurine exerts its neuroprotective functions against the glutamate induced excitotoxicity by reducing the glutamate-induced increase of intracellular calcium level,by shifting the ratio of bcl-2 and bad ratio in favor of cell survival and by reducing the er stress. the presence of metabotropic taurine receptors which are negatively coupled to phospholipase c (plc) signaling pathway through inhibitory g proteins is proposed,and the evidence supporting this notion is also presented. © 2010 wu et al; licensee biomed central ltd.