Taurine may have the ability to interact with phospholipids and this may affect cell membranes. Taurine binds to phospholipids with low affinity to a specific binding site in the membrane. This affinity is within physiological concentrations for taurine, and this suggests that taurine may bind to phospholipids in animals and humans. Taurine may also regulate calcium ion binding to the phospholipid phosphatidylserine. In this way taurine may play a key role in the electrical potential of membranes and in their stability. Taurine also inhibits the enzyme phospholipid N-methyltransferase, and this in turn alters the amount of phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine within membranes. This then has further effects by regulating the activity of proteins within the membrane, and these proteins can have significant functions in transport and metabolism of substances through or on the cell membrane. For example, taurine may regulate protein kinases and phosphatases, and in cardiomyocytes this may have significant effects on the regulation of heart muscle tissue.
Eat Well, Stay Healthy, Protect Yourself
RdB
Huxtable, R. J. 1992. Physiological actions of taurine. Physiological Reviews. 72(1): 101-163
