Taurine depletion in the intact animal stimulates in vitro phosphorylation of an approximately 44-kDa protein present in the mitochondrial fraction of the rat heart

Cancer SLC6A6-mediated taurine uptake transactivates immune checkpoint genes and induces exhaustion in CD8+ T cells

Taurine is used to bolster immunity, but its effects on antitumor immunity are unclear. Here, we report that cancer-related taurine consumption causes T cell exhaustion and tumor progression. The taurine transporter SLC6A6 is correlated with aggressiveness and poor outcomes in multiple cancers. SLC6A6-mediated taurine uptake promotes the malignant behaviors of tumor cells but also increases the survival and effector function of CD8+ T cells. Tumor cells outcompete CD8+ T cells for taurine by overexpressing SLC6A6, which induces T cell death and malfunction, thereby fueling tumor progression. Mechanistically, taurine deficiency in CD8+ T cells increases ER stress, promoting ATF4 transcription in a PERK-JAK1-STAT3 signaling-dependent manner. Increased ATF4 transactivates multiple immune checkpoint genes and induces T cell exhaustion. In gastric cancer, we identify a chemotherapy-induced SP1-SLC6A6 regulatory axis. Our findings suggest that tumoral-SLC6A6-mediated taurine deficiency promotes immune evasion and that taurine supplementation reinvigorates exhausted CD8+ T cells and increases the efficacy of cancer therapies.

Taurine deficiency associated with dilated cardiomyopathy and aging

Taurine (2-aminoethanesulfonic acid) is a free amino acid found ubiquitously and abundantly in mammalian tissues. Taurine content in the heart is approximately 20 mM, which is approximately 100 times higher than plasma concentration. The high intracellular concentration of taurine is maintained by the taurine transporter (TauT; Slc6a6). Taurine plays various roles, including the regulation of intracellular ion dynamics, calcium handling, and acting as an antioxidant in the heart. Some species, such as cats and foxes, have low taurine biosynthetic capacity, and dietary taurine deficiency can lead to disorders such as dilated cardiomyopathy and blindness. In humans, the relationship between dietary taurine deficiency and cardiomyopathy is not yet clear, but a genetic mutation related to the taurine transporter has been reported to be associated with dilated cardiomyopathy. On the other hand, many studies have shown an association between dietary taurine intake and age-related diseases. Notably, it has recently been reported that taurine declines with age and is associated with lifespan in worms and mice, as well as healthspan in mice and monkeys. In this review, we summarize the role of dietary and genetic taurine deficiency in the development of cardiomyopathy and aging.

Taurine Prevented Hypoxia Induced Chicken Cardiomyocyte Apoptosis Through the Inhibition of Mitochondrial Pathway Activated by Calpain-1

Objective To determine whether taurine has protective effects on chicken myocardial apoptosis induced by hypoxic condition through inhibiting calpain-1 derived mitochondrial apoptotic pathway. Methods Chicken primary embryonic myocardial cells were isolated and cultured at 37 °C under a 5% CO₂ atmosphere. Firstly the optimum concentration of taurine or PD150606 was chosen by detecting the cell viability. Chicken cardiomyocytes were cultured in 95% N₂-5% CO₂ atmosphere for 12 h to produce hypoxic conditions. Before hypoxic treatment, 10 mM taurine and 10 uM PD150606 (a specific calpains inhibitor) were added separately or together. The cell apoptosis was detected by acridine orange/ethidium bromide (AO/EB) double staining. Western blotting was used to determine the protein expressions of calpain-1, cytochrome c, Bcl-2, procaspase-9 and procaspase-3 in the cardiomyocytes. Results Taurine administration effectively attenuated the myocardial apoptosis under hypoxic condition, reduced the calpain-1 protein level. In addition, pre-treated taurine could up-regulate the protein expressions of Bcl-2 and procaspase-3 in hypoxic myocardial cells, down-regulate protein expression levels of cytochrome c and procaspase-9. Moreover, taurine exhibited same inhibition effect as PD150606 on the cell apoptosis and proteins express under hypoxic condition. Conclusions Taurine could attenuate the chicken cardiomyocyte apoptosis impaired by hypoxia through inhibiting calpian-1-derived mitochondrial apoptotic pathway in vitro.

Taurine and its analogs in neurological disorders: Focus on therapeutic potential and molecular mechanisms

Taurine is a sulfur-containing amino acid and known as semi-essential in mammals and is produced chiefly by the liver and kidney. It presents in different organs, including retina, brain, heart and placenta and demonstrates extensive physiological activities within the body. In the several disease models, it attenuates inflammation- and oxidative stress-mediated injuries. Taurine also modulates ER stress, Ca2+ homeostasis and neuronal activity at the molecular level as part of its broader roles. Different cellular processes such as energy metabolism, gene expression, osmosis and quality control of protein are regulated by taurine. In addition, taurine displays potential ameliorating effects against different neurological disorders such as neurodegenerative diseases, stroke, epilepsy and diabetic neuropathy and protects against injuries and toxicities of the nervous system. Several findings demonstrate its therapeutic role against neurodevelopmental disorders, including Angelman syndrome, Fragile X syndrome, sleep-wake disorders, neural tube defects and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Considering current biopharmaceutical limitations, developing novel delivery approaches and new derivatives and precursors of taurine may be an attractive option for treating neurological disorders. Herein, we present an overview on the therapeutic potential of taurine against neurological disorders and highlight clinical studies and its molecular mechanistic roles. This article also addresses the neuropharmacological potential of taurine analogs.

Taurine Reverses Atrial Structural Remodeling in Ach-Cacl2 Induced Atrial Fibrillation Rats

Taurine has been reported to have anti-arrhythmia effects, but the anti-atrial fibrillation (AF) effects and its mechanism remain incompletely understood. In the present study, the therapy effects and partly mechanisms were investigated. AF animal model was established by intravenous administered with the mixture of acetylcholine (Ach) and CaCl2 (66 μg/mL + 10 mg/mL) (i.v.) for 7 days. The actions of taurine (99 mg/kg∙d, introgastric administration) on the levels of Hs-CRP, IL-6, TNF-α, MMP-9, AngII, the extent of the fibrosis and ultrastructural changes in left atrial were studied. The data showed that the serum levels of TNF-α, IL-6, AngII and the plasma levels of Hs-CRP and MMP-9 were significantly elevated in automatic recovery group relative to the control group (p < 0.01), which were all decreased by taurine administration (p < 0.01) similar to Verapamil treatment. Masson's trichrome staining of the left atrial tissue showed an obvious interstitial fibrosis in rats of automatic recovery group. The alteration could be reversed by additional taurine. Electron microscopy revealed that taurine administration could significantly alleviate the ultrastructural damage of atrial cells, and the effects were similar to the Verapamil treatment. In conclusion, the results suggested that taurine could inhibit the structural remodeling of AF in rats partly by decreasing the levels of inflammatory factors and profibrotic molecules, attenuating the extent of myocardial fibrosis and protecting the integrity of myocardial ultrastructure.

Effects and Mechanisms of Taurine as a Therapeutic Agent

Taurine is an abundant, β-amino acid with diverse cytoprotective activity. In some species, taurine is an essential nutrient but in man it is considered a semi-essential nutrient, although cells lacking taurine show major pathology. These findings have spurred interest in the potential use of taurine as a therapeutic agent. The discovery that taurine is an effective therapy against congestive heart failure led to the study of taurine as a therapeutic agent against other disease conditions. Today, taurine has been approved for the treatment of congestive heart failure in Japan and shows promise in the treatment of several other diseases. The present review summarizes studies supporting a role of taurine in the treatment of diseases of muscle, the central nervous system, and the cardiovascular system. In addition, taurine is extremely effective in the treatment of the mitochondrial disease, mitochondrial encephalopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes (MELAS), and offers a new approach for the treatment of metabolic diseases, such as diabetes, and inflammatory diseases, such as arthritis. The review also addresses the functions of taurine (regulation of antioxidation, energy metabolism, gene expression, ER stress, neuromodulation, quality control and calcium homeostasis) underlying these therapeutic actions.

Taurine as a water structure breaker and protein stabilizer

The enhancing effect on the water structure has been confirmed for most of the osmolytes exhibiting both stabilizing and destabilizing properties in regard to proteins. The presented work concerns osmolytes, which should be classified as "structure breaking" solutes: taurine and N,N,N-trimethyltaurine (TMT). Here, we combine FTIR spectroscopy, DSC calorimetry and DFT calculations to gain an insight into the interactions between osmolytes and two proteins: lysozyme and ubiquitin. Despite high structural similarity, both osmolytes exert different influence on protein stability: taurine is a stabilizer, TMT is a denaturant. We show also that taurine amino group interacts directly with the side chains of proteins, whereas TMT does not interact with proteins at all. Although two solutes weaken on average the structure of the surrounding water, their hydration spheres are different. Taurine is surrounded by two populations of water molecules: bonded with weak H-bonds around sulfonate group, and strongly bonded around amino group. The strong hydrogen-bonded network of water molecules around the amino group of taurine further improves properties of enhanced protein hydration sphere and stabilizes the native protein form. Direct interactions of this group with surface side chains provide a proper orientation of taurine and prevents the [Formula: see text] group from negative influence. The weakened [Formula: see text] hydration sphere of TMT breaks up the hydrogen-bonded network of water around the protein and destabilizes it. However, TMT at low concentration stabilize both proteins to a small extent. This effect can be attributed to an actual osmophobic effect which is overcome if the concentration increases.

Role of protein phosphorylation in excitation-contraction coupling in taurine deficient hearts

Taurine is a beta-amino acid found in very high concentration in the heart. Depletion of these intracellular stores results in the development of cardiomyopathy, thought to be mediated by abnormal sarcoplasmic reticular (SR) Ca(2+) transport. There is also evidence that taurine directly alters the Ca(2+) sensitivity of myofibrillar proteins. Major regulators of SR Ca(2+) ATPase (SERCA2a) are the phosphorylation status of a regulatory protein, phospholamban, and SERCA2a expression, which are diminished in the failing heart. The failing heart also exhibits reductions in myofibrillar Ca(2+) sensitivity, a property regulated by the phosphorylation of the muscle protein, troponin I. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that taurine deficiency leads to alterations in SR Ca(2+) ATPase activity related to reduced phospholamban phosphorylation and expression of SERCA2a. We found that a sequence of events, which included elevated protein phosphatase 1 activity, reduced autophosphorylation of CaMKII, and reduced phospholamban phosphorylation, supports the reduction in SR Ca(2+) ATPase activity. However, the reduction in SR Ca(2+) ATPase activity was not caused by reduced SERCA2a expression. Taurine transporter knockout (TauTKO) hearts also exhibited a rightward shift in the Ca(2+) dependence of the myofibrillar Ca(2+) ATPase, a property that is associated with an elevation in phosphorylated troponin I. The findings support the observation that taurine deficient hearts develop systolic and diastolic defects related to reduced SR Ca(2+) ATPase activity, a change mediated in part by reduced phospholamban phosphorylation.

Effects of taurine on myocardial cGMP/cAMP ratio, antioxidant ability, and ultrastructure in cardiac hypertrophy rats induced by isoproterenol

Taurine is the most abundant free amino acid in the human body and accounts for more than 50% of the total amino acid pool in the mammalian heart. To investigate the preventive effects of taurine on cardiac hypertrophy in rats, myocardial injury was established by hypodermic injection of isoprenaline (ISO) (10 mg/kg d) for 7 days. The preventive effects of taurine (100 mg/kg d, 200 mg/kg d, and 300 mg/kg d, i.p) on heart coefficient; ultrastructure of cardiac muscle; the levels of creatine kinase heart isoenzyme (CK-MB), cAMP, and cGMP; and antioxidant ability were investigated. The results showed that taurine could significantly prevent the increase of heart coefficient induced by ISO. Compared with the model group, 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg taurine significantly decrease the levels of cAMP and cGMP, while 300 mg/kg taurine could significantly decrease the levels of cAMP in myocardium, and all the three concentrations of taurine could significantly increase the ratio of cGMP/cAMP. The level of serum CK-MB was significantly increased by ISO; 200 mg/kg taurine could significantly decrease it, but 100 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg taurine had no significant effect. As for the antioxidant ability, ISO administration could significantly increase the myocardial level of MDA but had no significant effects on the myocardial levels of SOD, GSH, GSH-Px, and T-AOC. However, taurine administration could significantly decrease the myocardial level of MDA and increase the levels of GSH and T-AOC compared with the model group. The serum levels of SOD, GSH-Px, GSH, and T-AOC were significantly reduced by ISO administration, but the level of MDA showed no significant changes compared with the control group. Taurine administration could significantly increase the serum levels of SOD, GSH-Px, GSH, and T-AOC and decrease the level of MDA compared with the model group. All the results indicated that 200 mg/kg taurine had better effects. The ultrastructure of cardiomyocytes showed that taurine administration could significantly reverse the injury caused by ISO. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that taurine could inhibit the injury induced by ISO by increasing myocardial negative inotropic effect and antioxidant ability, decreasing the hypertrophic response to isoproterenol and protecting the integrity of -myocardial ultrastructure, decreasing myocardial leak of CK-MB.

Taurine-mediated cardioprotection is greater when administered upon reperfusion than prior to ischemia

Taurine (TA) administered exogenously before the induction of myocardial ischemia decreases lactic acid production and increases pyruvic acid production during ischemia. It also preserves the activity of GOT, GPT, LDH and CPK during ischemia and enhances recovery of CKMB synthesis as early as 5 minutes after onset of reperfusion. The aim of the study was to determine the optimal conditions for administering TA in order to reduce myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury. Left ventricular (LV) function, creatine kinase (CK) and lipid peroxide products (LPOP = oxidant stress), as well as the area at risk (AAR), and infarct size (IS) after reperfusion were studied in 3 groups of isolated rat hearts perfused with Krebs Henseleit Buffer (KHB)-stabilized isolated rat hearts that were subjected to 20 minutes(') of global ischemia at 37 degrees C followed by 60' of reperfusion with KHB: Hearts were perfused with TA containing KHB for 10' just prior to ischemia or during the first 10' of reperfusion.

CONCLUSION

Taurine before ischemia or during reperfusion was equally effective in preventing infarction; however, when administered at reperfusion, taurine reduced lipid peroxidation and myocardial injury more, thereby providing improved early recovery of function.

Protective effect of taurine on myocardial antioxidant status in isoprenaline-induced myocardial infarction in rats

We have examined the protective effect of taurine on the myocardial antioxidant defense system in isoprenaline (isoproterenol)-induced myocardial infarction in rats, an animal model of myocardial infarction in man. Levels of diagnostic marker enzymes in plasma, lipid peroxides and reduced glutathione, and the activity of glutathione-dependent antioxidant enzymes and anti-peroxidative enzymes in the heart tissue were determined. Intraperitoneal administration of taurine significantly prevented the isoprenaline-induced increases in the levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, and creatine phosphokinase in the plasma of rats. Taurine exerted an antioxidant effect against isoprenaline-induced myocardial infarction by preventing the accumulation of lipid peroxides and by maintaining the level of reduced glutathione and the activity of glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase, catalase and superoxide dismutase at near normality. The results indicated that the cardioprotective potential of taurine was probably due to the increase of the activity of the free radical enzymes, or to a counteraction of free radicals by its antioxidant nature, or to a strengthening of myocardial membrane by its membrane stabilizing property.

Taurine modulates expression of transporters in rat brain and heart

In pro- and eucaryotic life, cellular and subcellular compartments are separated by membranes and the regulated and selective passage of specific molecules across these membranes is a basic and highly conserved principle. We were interested whether taurine, a naturally occurring amino acid, would be able to induce or suppress expression of transporters with the Rationale that taurine was shown to detoxify a series of endogenous toxins and xenobiotics of various chemically non-related structures. For this purpose we used a gene hunting technique, subtractive hybridization, subtracting mRNAs of taurine-treated rat brain and heart from untreated controls. Subtracted mRNAs were then converted to cDNAs, amplified, sequenced and identified by gene bank data. We found five transporter transcripts, the phosphonate transport ATPase PHNC, multidrug transporter homolog MTH104, protein-export-membrane protein SECD, oligopeptide transporters oppA and oppD, in the brain and two: ABC-transporter BRAF-2 and cation-transport ATPase PACS, in the heart. Homologies of the sequences found were in any case > 50% thus permitting the identification of transporters with high probability. The biological meaning could be that a naturally occurring amino acid, taurine, modulates complex transport systems. The most prominent finding is the upregulation of a multidrug transporter transcript, explaining a mechanism for the nonselective detoxifying action of taurine.

Inhibition of rat vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation by taurine and taurine analogues

The growth of rat aorta vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) was measured in the presence and absence of taurine. Concentrations of taurine as low as 0.3 mM in the culture medium inhibited the proliferation of the cells, as monitored by measuring cell count, and also inhibited the rate of DNA synthesis, as examined by measuring [3H]thymidine incorporation into DNA. However, even at the highest concentration of taurine (30 mM), the doubling time of the VSMCs was only increased by 38%. Protein content of the VSMCs was decreased by 30 mM taurine. [3H]Leucine incorporation into newly synthesized protein was not affected by the highest concentration of taurine tested (30 mM), indicating that taurine did not inhibit protein synthesis but rather decreased total protein content by inhibiting cellular proliferation. The effects of other amino acids such as alanine, glycine, and serine and of various taurine analogues such as beta-alanine, guanidinoethanesulfonic acid (GES), and isethionic acid also were tested at a concentration of 20 mM for their effects on the growth of the VSMCs. Alanine, glycine, and serine had only a minimal effect or no effect on cell count, quantity of protein, and incorporation of [3H]thymidine into DNA. GES, beta-alanine, and isethionic acid had a significant effect on cell count, protein content, and incorporation of [3H]thymidine into DNA. Beta-alanine was the only analogue tested that significantly depressed [3H]leucine incorporation into newly synthesized protein. It is concluded that taurine, GES, and isethionic acid inhibited proliferation of VSMCs but did not alter normal protein synthesis or survivability of VSMCs. In contrast, other amino acids, alanine, glycine and serine, had minimal effects on VSMC proliferation and protein synthesis, whereas beta-alanine appeared to be toxic, inhibiting both VSMC synthesis and de novo protein synthesis.

Increased phosphorylation of specific rat cardiac and retinal proteins in taurine-depleted animals: isolation and identification of the phosphoproteins

Partial depletion of the tissue levels of taurine in the alive animal stimulates in vitro phosphorylation of both an approximately 20 kDa (94%) and an approximately 44 kDa (85%) protein present in subcellular fractions of the rat retina and heart. Tissue levels of taurine were reduced by feeding the animals 1.5% guanidinoethanesulfonic acid (GES) in their drinking water for 6 weeks. The increase in the in vitro phosphorylation of both the approximately 20 kDa and approximately 44 kDa proteins was reversed when the animals were subsequently given 1.5% taurine in their drinking water for an additional 6 weeks. Isolation, purification, tryptic digestion, and peptide sequence analysis of the retinal approximately 20 kDa phosphoprotein suggest that it is histone H2B. However, the results are ambiguous due to an impurity (< 25%) in the retinal preparation. Sequence analysis of the approximately 44 kDa phosphoprotein indicates that it is pyruvate dehydrogenase.