Phospholipid methylation and taurine content of synaptosomes from cerebral cortex of developing rat.

Changes in taurine concentration and rate of methylation of phosphatidylethanolamine have been examined in rat brain synaptosomes over the course of development. At 7, 14, 21, 28 and 56 days of age, rats were injected i.p. with 300 microCi/kg [3H-methyl]methionine. Synaptosomes (P2B fraction) were isolated from the cerebral cortex 9 h later and incorporation of the methionine methyl group into phospholipid and protein was investigated. Synaptosomal taurine and methionine concentrations were determined at the same ages, as were the concentrations of the major classes of phospholipids (phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylserine). Methionine concentration increased between day 7 and 14 and fell thereafter. Phospholipid methylation rates calculated from the specific activity of synaptosomal methionine were high from days 7 and 14 and then fell, whereas protein methionylation increased between day 7 and 28 and then decreased. A strong correlation was found between the taurine concentration of the synaptosome and phospholipid methylation rates during brain development. Protein methionylation rates, however, showed no correlation with taurine concentration.