Role of taurine, its haloamines and its lncRNA TUG1 in both inflammation and cancer progression. On the road to therapeutics? (Review)

Abstract

For one century, taurine is considered as an end product of sulfur metabolism. In this review, we discuss the beneficial effect of taurine, its haloamines and taurine upregulated gene 1 (TUG1) long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) in both cancer and inflammation. We outline how taurine or its haloamines (N-Bromotaurine or N-Chlorotaurine) can induce robust and efficient responses against inflammatory diseases, providing insight into their molecular mechanisms. We also provide information about the use of taurine as a therapeutic approach to cancer. Taurine can be combined with other chemotherapeutic drugs, not only mediating durable responses in various malignancies, but also circumventing the limitations met from chemotherapeutic drugs, thus improving the therapeutic outcome. Interestingly, the lncRNA TUG1 is regarded as a promising therapeutic approach, which can overcome acquired resistance of cancer cells to selected strategies. In this regard, we can translate basic knowledge about taurine and its TUG1 lncRNA into potential therapeutic options directed against specific oncogenic signaling targets, thereby bridging the gap between bench and bedside. Contents 1. The role of taurine in inflammation 2. Formation of taurine haloamines 3. Anti-microbial properties of taurine haloamines 4. Anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties of taurine haloamines 5. Therapeutic perspectives and clinical studies 6. Significance of lncRNA TUG1 lncRNA in cancer 7. The association of lncRNA TUG1 and chemoresistance 8. The role of taurine or lncRNA TUG1 as a prognostic marker 9. Conclusions

Metabolomics based plasma biomarkers for diagnosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma and oral erosive lichen planus

“…Therefore, compensatory mechanisms promoted excessive consumption of amino acids to maintain the normal physiological function in the body, which could further aggravate metabolic disorders and exacerbate the disease. Taurine could cause tumor cell apoptosis [27], showing anti-cancer effects [28]. In our study, taurine was greatly reduced in OSCC patients, which may be related to the proliferation of OSCC cells.…”

Perioperative changes in the plasma metabolome of patients receiving general anesthesia for pancreatic cancer surgery

“…Taurine plays an essential role in anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and membrane stabilizing processes [ 27 , 28 ]. This explains its inhibitory effects on cancer cell growth [ 29 ]. Moreover, taurine deficiency is linked to type II diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and obesity while taurine supplementation lowers arterial blood pressure and has positive effects on insulin sensitivity [ 27 , 28 , 30 , 31 ].…”

Bromamine T, a stable active bromine compound, prevents the LPS‑induced inflammatory response

“…Taurine is a non-essential amino acid that is abundant in all mammalian tissues ( 10 , 11 ) and plays a significant role in homeostasis, since it is involved in the regulation of numerous vital cellular processes (osmoregulation, protein phosphorylation, membrane stability, bile acid conjugation, neuromodulation, maintenance of calcium concentration and the detoxification of xenobiotics) ( 12 ), thus ensuring the proper function of various organs. Furthermore, it has been demonstrated that taurine is effective against multiple types of inflammatory injury ( 13 ), including spinal cord injury ( 14 ), hepatic ischemia-reperfusion ( 15 ), lung injury ( 16 , 17 ), ischemic stroke ( 18 ), lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury ( 16 ), 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis ( 19 ) and dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis ( 20 , 21 ). The anti-inflammatory effects of taurine are usually attributed to its antioxidant effects ( 13 ), which are evidenced by the inhibition of lipid peroxidation ( 22 ) and by its membrane-stabilizing capacity ( 23 ).…”