Zinc and zinc chelators modify taurine transport in rat retinal cells.

Zinc regulates Na+/Cl−-dependent transporters, similar to taurine one, such as those for dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine. This study examined the ex vivo effect of zinc (ZnSO4), N,N,N,N-tetraquis-(2-piridilmetil)etilendiamino (TPEN) and diethylenetriaminepenta-acetic acid (DTPA), intracellular and extracellular zinc chelators, respectively, on rat retina [3H]taurine transport. Isolated cells were incubated in Locke solution with 100 nM of [3H]taurine for 25 s. Different concentrations of ZnSO4 (0.5–200 μM) were used. Low concentrations of ZnSO4 (30 and 40 μM) increased the transport, while higher concentrations (100, 150 and 200 μM) decreased it. Various concentrations of TPEN (1–200 μM) were added. Intermediate concentrations of TPEN (10–60 μM) significantly decreased [3H]taurine transport. The presence of TPEN, 20 μM, plus ZnSO4 reversed the effect of TPEN alone. Several concentrations of DTPA (1–500 μM) were also investigated. Reduction of transport took place at high concentrations of the chelator (100, 250 and 500 μM). DTPA, 500 μM, plus ZnSO4, did not modify the effect of it. These results indicate that zinc modulates taurine transport in a concentration-dependent manner, directly acting on the transporter or by forming taurine–zinc complexes in cell membranes.