Taurine transporter is expressed in vascular smooth muscle cells

Taurine(2-aminoethanesulfonic acid) is a conditionally essential amino acid,which is a prevalent intracellular free amino acid presented in high concentrations.Taurine is mainly uptaked into cells via the Taurine transporter (TAUT).In present study,we evaluated the expression of TAUT in vascular smooth muscle cells.The expression of TAUT mRNA and protein in vascular smooth muscle cells was determined by RT-PCR,Western blot and immunohisto-chemistry respectively.Both TAUT mRNA and protein were expressed in vascular smooth muscle cells.TAUT is expressed in vascular smooth muscle cells.