title: The use of taurine analogues to investigate taurine functions and their potential therapeutic applications.
abstract: Despite the multitude of evidence for the beneficial effects of taurine supplementation in a variety of disease, the underlying modifying action of taurine with respect to either molecular or biochemical mechanisms is almost totally unknown. We have assessed the development of taurine analogues, particularly where there has been substitution at the suphonate or amine group. Such substitutions allow the investigator to probe the relationship between structure and function of the taurine molecule. In addition such studies should help to ascertain taurine's point of interaction with the effector molecule. These results will prepare the way for the development of the second generation of taurine analogues.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Farmacologia Preclinica e Clinica M Aiazzi Mancini, Firenze, Italy.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Della Corte
authors.forename: R R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Crichton
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Duburs
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nolan
authors.forename: K F
authors.initials: KF
authors.lastname: Tipton
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tirzitis
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Ward
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D000431:Ethanol / Q000378:metabolism; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D015394:Molecular Structure; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D013654:Taurine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000378:metabolism*; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D013654:Taurine; D000431:Ethanol; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D002118:Calcium