TY - GEN

T1 - The important role of taurine in oxidative metabolism

AU - Hansen, Svend Høime

AU - Andersen, Mogens Larsen

AU - Birkedal, Henrik

AU - Cornett, Claus

AU - Wibrand, Flemming

PY - 2006

Y1 - 2006

N2 - Several studies have demonstrated that especially high taurine concentrations are found in tissues with high oxidative activity, whereas lower concentrations are found in tissues with primary glycolytic activity. Based on such observations, we have studied if taurine is involved in mitochondrial oxidation. Several pieces of information have demonstrated taurine localisation in the mitochondria. We have developed a general biochemical model with preliminary data demonstrating the important role of taurine as mitochondrial matrix buffer for stabilising the mitochondrial oxidation. The model can have far-reaching perspectives, e.g., explaining the often-suggested anti-oxidative role of taurine, in contrast to the fact that taurine is very difficult to chemically oxidise. By stabilising the environment in the mitochondria, taurine will prevent leakage of the reactive compounds formed in the reactive mitochondrial environment and thus indirectly act as an antioxidant. Consequently, the model represents a new concept for understanding mitochondrial dysfunction by emphasising the importance of taurine for providing sufficient pH buffering in the mitochondrial matrix.

AB - Several studies have demonstrated that especially high taurine concentrations are found in tissues with high oxidative activity, whereas lower concentrations are found in tissues with primary glycolytic activity. Based on such observations, we have studied if taurine is involved in mitochondrial oxidation. Several pieces of information have demonstrated taurine localisation in the mitochondria. We have developed a general biochemical model with preliminary data demonstrating the important role of taurine as mitochondrial matrix buffer for stabilising the mitochondrial oxidation. The model can have far-reaching perspectives, e.g., explaining the often-suggested anti-oxidative role of taurine, in contrast to the fact that taurine is very difficult to chemically oxidise. By stabilising the environment in the mitochondria, taurine will prevent leakage of the reactive compounds formed in the reactive mitochondrial environment and thus indirectly act as an antioxidant. Consequently, the model represents a new concept for understanding mitochondrial dysfunction by emphasising the importance of taurine for providing sufficient pH buffering in the mitochondrial matrix.

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84934443895&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1007/978-0-387-33504-9_13

DO - 10.1007/978-0-387-33504-9_13

M3 - Article in proceedings

C2 - 17153596

AN - SCOPUS:84934443895

SN - 9780387323565

T3 - Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology

SP - 129

EP - 135

BT - Taurine 6

PB - Springer New York

ER -