H 2 S: A Novel Gasotransmitter that Signals by Sulfhydration

Abstract

Hydrogen sulfide is a member of the growing family of gasotransmitters. Once regarded as a noxious molecule predominantly present in the atmosphere, H2S is now known to be synthesized endogenously in mammals. H2S participates in a myriad of physiological processes ranging from regulation of blood pressure to neuroprotection. Its chemical nature precludes H2S from being stored in vesicles and acting on receptor proteins in the fashion of other chemical messengers. Thus, novel cellular mechanisms have evolved to mediate its effects. This article focuses on sulfhydration (or persulfidation), which appears to be the principal post-translational modification elicited by H2S.

Effects of natural and synthetic isothiocyanate-based H 2 S-releasers against chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain: Role of Kv7 potassium channels

“…A major role in redox balance, mitochondrial bioenergetics, apoptosis and inflammatory processes (Kamat et al, 2015) leads to H 2 S relevance in memory, cognition and learning (Nagpure and Bian, 2015) as well as in neuroprotection (Paul and Snyder, 2015).…”

Transcriptional control of amino acid homeostasis is disrupted in Huntington’s disease

“…Cysteine is a semiessential amino acid with multifaceted cellular functions (14,15). Cysteine is obtained from both, the diet and by endogenous production via the reverse transsulfuration pathway (16,17). In addition to serving as a building block for protein synthesis, cysteine is a component of the major antioxidant glutathione and a substrate for the biosynthesis of the gasotransmitter hydrogen sulfide, which itself has substantial antioxidant efficacy (16,17).…”

“…Cysteine is obtained from both, the diet and by endogenous production via the reverse transsulfuration pathway (16,17). In addition to serving as a building block for protein synthesis, cysteine is a component of the major antioxidant glutathione and a substrate for the biosynthesis of the gasotransmitter hydrogen sulfide, which itself has substantial antioxidant efficacy (16,17). Cysteine is also the precursor of sulfur-containing molecules such as taurine and lanthionine, which have cytoprotective functions.…”

Un nouveau lien entre des taux élevés d’homocystéine, les cancers et les maladies neurodégénératives

“…En fonction des demandes métaboliques, l'HCys est soit recyclée en méthionine, en conjonction avec le métabolisme du folate ou par l'action de la bétaine-homocystéine S-méthyltransférase, soit catabolisée en cystéine (Cys), un acide aminé semi-essentiel précurseur du glutathion (GSH) et de la taurine, via la voie dite de transsulfuration [1,4] (➜) (Figure 1). Cette dernière, qui comprend deux enzymes dépendantes de la vitamine B 6 , la cystathionine--synthase (CBS) et la cystathionine--lyase (CSE), est une source importante de Cys chez les mammifères, son inhibition entraînant une diminution d'environ 50 % des taux de GSH dans les tissus. La Cys participe aussi à la biosynthèse de nombreux cofacteurs soufrés (centres FeS, molybdoptérine, coenzyme A) et à la modification de certains ARNt au niveau de la position de « wobble 2 » (Figure 1).…”

“…d'hydrogène (H 2 S), un médiateur gazeux récemment identifié. Son catabolisme est directement couplé à la respiration cellulaire et il exerce diverses fonctions de signalisation dans les systèmes vasculaires et neuronaux, et dans la régu-lation de la réponse inflammatoire [1,[5][6][7] (Figure 1). …”