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 [H-3] taurine transport. Isolated cells were incubated in Locke solution with 100 nM of [H-3] taurine for 25 s. Different concentrations of ZnSO4 (0.5-200 mu M) were used. Low concentrations of ZnSO4 (30 and 40 mu M) increased the transport, while higher concentrations (100, 150 and 200 mu M) decreased it. Various concentrations of TPEN (1-200 mu M) were added. Intermediate concentrations of TPEN (10-60 mu M) significantly decreased [H-3] taurine transport. The presence of TPEN, 20 mu M, plus ZnSO4 reversed the effect of TPEN alone. Several concentrations of DTPA (1-500 mu M) were also investigated. Reduction of transport took place at high concentrations of the chelator (100, 250 and 500 mu M). DTPA, 500 mu M, 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.