Taurine is an abundant organic osmolyte that possesses antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties and plays a role in cell volume homeostasis. Taurine is taken up into cells via the taurine transporter (TAUT). TAUT, which is sodium- and chloride-dependent, is a multi-pass membrane protein belonging to the sodium neurotransmitter symporter (SNF) family of proteins. TNFalpha upregulates TAUT expression, while phosphorylation on Serine 322 downregulates it. Overexpression of TAUT protects renal cells from cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity.