Taurine transport by isolated flounder renal tubules

Previous in vivo clearance studies (Schrock et al., '82) have revealed that taurine is secreted by marine fish kidneys. In the present study taurine secretion by the flounder (Pseudopleuronectes americanus) renal tubule was investigated by assaying the transport of 14C-taurine in vitro. Collections from isolated fluid-secreting flounder tubules confirmed the presence of a tubular mechanism for taurine secretion. The flounder renal tubule concentrated taurine in the lumen at a lumen/bath ratio of 25, with the movement across the peritubular membrane identified as the concentrating step of taurine transport. Studies with teased flounder renal tubules identified transport as Na+ and C1- dependent. Taurine transport was inhibited by beta alanine, gamma-aminobutyric acid, and hypotaurine. In a study of the hormonal control of taurine transport, only the adrenal steroid dexamethasone stimulated taurine uptake by the flounder renal tubules. Transport was not affected by the second messengers adenosine 3'5'-cyclic monophosphate, guanosine 3'5'-cyclic monophosphate, adenosine, or Ca++ ionophore (A12384).