Distribution of taurine and other free amino acids in the visual pathway of the crayfish Procambarus clarkii

Abstract

1. Free taurine showed an in homogenous distribution along the neuropiles associated with the visual processing pathway in the eyestalk and brain of the freshwater crayfish Procambarus clarkii.2. Within the eyestalk, taurine was statistically significant (P < 0.001), more Concentrated in the retina(photo reccptor layer) lamina ganglionaris region than in the medulla extema-medulla interna and medulla terminalis regions; 64% of the total content (45% in terms of total concentration) of taurine in the eyestalk was localized in the retina-lamina ganglionaris zone.3. Regarding other free amino acids also identified, and considering the whole eyestalk, taurine concentration was comparable with those of alanine and glycine, but statistically significantly higher than glutamate, GABA and aspartate. In the brain (cerebroid ganglion) taurine, alanine, glycine, glutamate and GABA concentrations, albeit not identical, were not statistically significantly different; only the aspartate concentration was significantly lower (P < 0.001).4. These results show that taurine is a major constituent in the anterior part of the crayfish central nervous system and support the notion that this free amino acid could play a physiologically important role in the crustacean visual pathway.