Taurine Transporter (TAUT)

Taurine (2-aminoethanesulfonic acid) is a major intracellular amino acid in mammals. It is involved in a number of important physiologic processes, including bile acid conjugation in hepatocytes, modulation of calcium flux and neural excitability, osmoregulation, detoxification, and membrane stabilization. The cells of most organisms respond to hypertonicity by the intracellular accumulation of high concentrations of small organic solutes (osmolytes) that, in contrast to high concentrations of electrolytes, do not perturb the function of macromolecules. The renal medulla is normally the only tissue in mammals that undergoes wide shifts in tonicity. Its hypertonicity when the kidney is excreting a concentrated urine is fundamental to water conservation.