UPTAKE AND RELEASE OF TAURINE FROM RAT BRAIN SLICES

Abstract

Abstract— Rapid efflux of [ 35 S]taurine from rat brain slices was observed on electrical stimulation. Slower release resulted when the Ca 2+ content of the perfusion medium was replaced with Mg 2+ . Uptake of [ 35 S]taurine into rat cortical slices was unaffected by GABA, glutamic acid, glycine and leucine but was inhibited by alanine, ouabain, KCN and 2,4‐dinitrophenol. Of a number of analogues of taurine, 2‐aminoethylsulphinic acid was the most potent in inhibiting the uptake of [ 35 S]taurine. The rate of uptake was found to be decreased by lowering the incubation temperature. The possibility that taurine may be a neurotransmitter is discussed.