Mechanisms Underlying Taurine Protection Against Glutamate-Induced Neurotoxicity

Taurine appears to exert potent protections against glutamate (Glu)-induced injury to neurons, but the underlying molecular mechanisms are not fully understood. The possibly protected targets consist of the plasma membrane and the mitochondrial as well as endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membranes. Protec...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Canadian journal of neurological sciences 2013-09, Vol.40 (5), p.628-634
Main Authors: Ye, Hai-Bo, Shi, Hai-Bo, Yin, Shan-Kai
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Biological and medical sciences
Drug toxicity and drugs side effects treatment
Endoplasmic Reticulum - drug effects
Glutamic Acid - toxicity
Humans
Medical sciences
Mitochondria - drug effects
Neurology
Neurons - drug effects
Neuroprotective Agents - metabolism
Neuroprotective Agents - pharmacology
Neuroprotective Agents - therapeutic use
Neurotoxicity Syndromes - etiology
Neurotoxicity Syndromes - pathology
Neurotoxicity Syndromes - prevention & control
Pharmacology. Drug treatments
Review Article
Taurine - metabolism
Taurine - pharmacology
Taurine - therapeutic use
Toxicity: nervous system and muscle
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Summary:Taurine appears to exert potent protections against glutamate (Glu)-induced injury to neurons, but the underlying molecular mechanisms are not fully understood. The possibly protected targets consist of the plasma membrane and the mitochondrial as well as endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membranes. Protection may be provided through a variety of effects, including the prevention of membrane depolarization, neuronal excitotoxicity and mitochondrial energy failure, increases in intracellular free calcium ([Ca2+]i), activation of calpain, and reduction of Bcl-2 levels. These activities are likely to be linked spatially and temporally in the neuroprotective functions of taurine. In addition, events that occur downstream of Glu stimulation, including altered enzymatic activities, apoptotic pathways, and necrosis triggered by the increased [Ca2+]i, can be inhibited by taurine. This review discusses the possible molecular mechanisms of taurine against Glu-induced neuronal injury, providing a better understanding of the protective processes, which might be helpful in the development of novel interventional strategies.
ISSN:0317-1671
2057-0155
DOI:10.1017/S0317167100014840