Taurine (2-aminoethanesulfonic acid) is a sulfur-containing amino acid abundant in bile, heart, brain, and retina. Its primary metabolic role is bile acid conjugation — taurocholate and taurochenodeoxycholate are the taurine-conjugated primary bile acids that BSH-producing gut bacteria deconjugate, releasing free taurine into the colonic lumen. Taurine also functions as an antioxidant, osmoregulator, membrane stabilizer, and weak metal chelator.
Microbiome Interface
- BSH deconjugation releases taurine → colonic taurine is metabolized by sulfate-reducing bacteria (desulfovibrio) to produce hydrogen sulfide. High-taurine diets (meat-rich) thus indirectly increase H₂S production [1].
- Taurine supplementation shows cardiovascular protective effects via anti-inflammatory and antioxidant mechanisms [2] [3].
Cross-References
- bile salt hydrolase — releases taurine from conjugated bile acids
- bile acid metabolism — taurine conjugation context
- hydrogen sulfide — taurine as sulfur source for H₂S production
- desulfovibrio — taurine-metabolizing sulfate reducer