Taurine

Biological Activity

One of the most abundant free amino acids in the brain. A partial agonist at the inhibitory glycine receptor. May be used in protocols for the generation of retinal pigment epithelial cells from hPSCs. Taurine-fed middle-aged mice have improved functioning of bone, muscle, pancreas, brain, fat, gut, and immune system, and a longer life span. It reduces cellular senescence, protected against telomerase deficiency, suppressed mitochondrial dysfunction, decreased DNA damage, and attenuated inflammation. Taurine supplementation increases health span and life span in worms and health span in non-human primates.

Technical Data

The technical data provided above is for guidance only. For batch specific data refer to the Certificate of Analysis.
Tocris products are intended for laboratory research use only, unless stated otherwise.

Background References

1. Saturable disposition of taurine in the rat cerebrospinal fluid.
   Chung et al.
   J.Pharmacol.Exp.Ther., 1996;276:676
2. Carnosine and taurine protect rat cerebellar granular cells from free radical damage.
   Boldyrev et al.
   Neurosci.Lett., 1999;263:169
3. Pharmacology of the inhibitory glycine receptor: agonist and antagonist actions of amino acids and piperidine carboxylic acid compounds.
   Schieden and Betz
   Mol.Pharmacol., 1995;48:919
4. Potentiation of mitochondrial Ca²⁺ sequestration by taurine.
   Palmi et al.
   Biochem.Pharmacol., 1999;58:1123

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