Uptake of [3H]taurine into medium-size neurons and into identified striatonigral neurons in the rat neostriatum.

Injection of [3H]taurine into the neostriatum of the rat led to accumulation of radioactivity in a distinct population of neurons. Taurine-accumulating neurons had a medium-size cell body, a smooth nucleus and relatively little cytoplasm. Other neuron types, e.g. large neurons with indented nuclei, did not accumulate taurine. Striatonigral neurons, identified by retrograde transport of horseradish peroxidase, were found to take up [3H]taurine. It is suggested that taurine-accumulating neurons in the neostriatum are projection neurons.