Synthesis of Taurine from Sulfate by the Chick,∗

Summary

The young chick actively converts sulfate-sulfur into taurine. The presence of optimum levels of inorganic sulfate in the diet appears to enhance the reaction more than with organic sulfur. Dietary cysteine represses the formation of total taurine in the liver and taurocholate-S³⁵in the bile fluid. These preliminary data suggest that one or more of the nonessential amino acids may combine with activated sulfate to form taurine without passing via cysteine. Components of one carbon metabolism and vitamin B¹². appear to be associated with the overall reaction.