Disruption of the taurine transporter gene (taut) leads to retinal degeneration in mice.
Taurine is involved in cell volume homeostasis, antioxidant defense, protein stabilization, and stress responses. High levels of intracellular taurine are maintained by a Na+-dependent taurine transporter (TAUT) in the plasma membrane. In view of the immunomodulatory and cytoprotective effects of taurine, a mouse model with a disrupted gene coding for the taurine transporter (taut-/- mice) was generated. These mice show markedly decreased taurine levels in a variety of tissues, a reduced fertility, and loss of vision due to severe retinal degeneration. In particular, the retinal involvement identifies the taurine transporter as an important factor for the development and maintenance of normal retinal functions and morphology.
Heller-Stilb
Birgit
B
Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectiology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany.
van Roeyen
Claudia
C
Rascher
Kristina
K
Hartwig
Hans-Georg
HG
Huth
Andrea
A
Seeliger
Mathias W
MW
Warskulat
Ulrich
U
Häussinger
Dieter
D
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000235:genetics; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D005298:Fertility / Q000235:genetics; D005838:Genotype; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D009154:Mutation; D010786:Photoreceptor Cells / Q000473:pathology; D012160:Retina / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D012162:Retinal Degeneration / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D013654:Taurine / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D000099247:Taurine Transporters
D002352:Carrier Proteins; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins; D013654:Taurine; D000099247:Taurine Transporters