Taurine 9 pp 489-499 | Cite as

Analysis of Taurine as Modulator of Neurotransmitter in Caenorhabditis elegans

Conference paper
Part of the Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology book series (AEMB, volume 803)

Abstract

Taurine exists in large quantities in the skeletal and heart muscles, where it plays a substantial role in detoxification, membrane stability, and osmoregulation. In central nerve cells, taurine is believed to function as an inhibitory modulator and a protectant. In mice, extended taurine treatment modulates the γ-aminobutyric acid-producing (GABAergic) system during neonatal development. A sizable improvement in motor learning after training is apparent when adult mice are treated with taurine. Taurine has a significant affinity for several receptors including those for glycine, acetylcholine, and adrenalin or noradrenalin, supporting its prospective role in stress, mood, and behavior. Taurine is structurally similar to GABA, an efficient neurotransmitter in Caenorhabditis elegans. GABA acts primarily at neuromuscular synapses in nematodes, while vertebrates utilize GABA within synapses along the central nervous system. Some researchers, however, suspect that taurine’s positive effects on mental performance and learning may result from caffeine, which is usually used as a supplement in taurine-based foods or drugs. The purpose of the present study was to investigate taurine as a potential enhancer from a learning perspective in C. elegans. Throughout the present study, taurine positively affected associative learning in C. elegans, although caffeine may exert a synergistic effect to strengthen its stimulant properties. Additional research may be necessary to determine the optimal use of taurine in terms of scale and applicability. In conclusion, taurine can be used singularly as an enhancer for learning, associative or locomotive, and its effect can be enlarged in the presence of caffeine.

Keywords

Nematode Associative learning Taurine Caffeine GABA 

Abbreviations

GABA

γ-Aminobutyric acid

GAD

Glutamic acid decarboxylase

NGM

Nematode growth media

SR

Success ratio

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Notes

Acknowledgements

This study was supported by a 2014 Korea Nazarene University Faculty Grant to H. C. The authors appreciate the financial support. We are also grateful to Y. J. Ko for the assistance in preparing materials for the experiment.

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Copyright information

© Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2015

Authors and Affiliations

  1. 1.Department of Child StudiesKorea Nazarene UniversityCheonan-CitySouth Korea
  2. 2.Department of Life SciencesUniversity of SeoulSeoulSouth Korea

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