Taurine effects on 45Ca2+ transport in retinal subcellular fractions

The effect of taurine on 45Ca2+ transport by subcellular fractions from the chick retina was examined. An inhibitory action of taurine on 45Ca2+ uptake was observed in retinal fractions incubated for 1--5 min in a Krebs--bicarbonate medium, pH 7.4. In the crude nuclear fraction, 25 mM taurine produced a decrease of 50% in 45Ca2+ uptake; in the crude synaptosomal fraction, taurine reduced 45Ca2+ accumulation by 70%; the maximum inhibitory effect of taurine on 45Ca2+ uptake (80%) was observed in a fraction containing outer segments and pigment epithelium cells. Taurine effect was specific, dose-dependent and related to osmotically sensitive particles. The results suggest a role for taurine in the regulation of calcium fluxes in the retina.