Retina taurine biosynthesis

Several metabolic pathways can lead to taurine biosynthesis (35), The most Important route In mammalian tissues. Including brain and retina, has been shown to originate by pathway I (methionine—>cysteine —>cystelne sulphinate — hypotaurlne—>taurlne),... 

In the present chapter we will report the subcellular distribution pattern of taurine and enzymatic activities involved in taurine biosynthesis in ox retina and in particular in the subcellular nuclear fraction which contains besides nuclei, the outer and inner segments of photoreceptors as well as pinched-off nerve-endings of the photoreceptors. 

In ox retina, similarly to other vertebrate retinas studied, the highest content in taurine was found at the photoreceptor level (unpublished data). The existence of the enzymic activities leading to taurine biosynthesis in photoreceptors exclude that taurine uptalanimal species, responsible for taurine accumulation at this level. 

Although various physiological roles were suggested for taurine in different tissues like brain, heart, retina, the origin of this substance in these tissues is still unclear. Taurine could be provided by the diet and could also be synthesized. Until now, three main pathways were described or postulated in mammals for this biosynthesis ... 

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