title: Taurine stimulation of isolated hamster brain Na+,K+-ATPase: activation kinetics and chemical specificity.
abstract: Epileptic foci are associated with locally reduced taurine (2-aminoethanesulfonic acid) concentration and Na+,K+-ATPase (EC 3.6.1.3) specific activity. Topically applied and intraperitoneally administered taurine can prevent the development and/or spread of foci in many animal models. Taurine has been implicated as a possible cytosolic modulator of monovalent ion distribution, cytosolic "free" calcium activity, and neuronal excitability. Taurine may act in part by modulating Na+,K+-ATPase activity of neuronal and glial cells. We characterized the requirements for in vitro modulation of Na+,K+-ATPase by taurine. Normal whole brain homogenate Na+,K+-ATPase activity is 5.1 +/- 0.4 (4) mumol Pi X h-1 X mg-1 Lowry protein. Partial purification of the plasma membrane fraction to remove cytosolic proteins and extrinsic proteins and to uncouple cholinergic receptors yields a membrane-bound Na+,K+-ATPase activity of 204.6 +/- 5.8 (4) mol Pi X h-1 X mg-1 Lowry protein. Taurine activates the Na+,K+-ATPase at all levels of purification. The concentration dependence of activation follows normal saturation kinetics (K1/2 = 39 mM taurine, activation maximum = +87%). The activation exhibits chemical specificity among the taurine analogues and metabolites: taurine = isethionic acid greater than hypotaurine greater than no activation = beta-alanine = methionine = choline = leucine. Taurine can act as an endogenous activator/modulator of Na+,K+-ATPase. Its action is mediated by a membrane-bound protein.
authors.forename: D F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Hastings
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Welty
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rohani
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000201:enzymology*; D006224:Cricetinae; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007700:Kinetics; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase / Q000032:analysis*; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship; D013654:Taurine / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D013654:Taurine; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase