Hydrogen sulfide and mitochondria

Abstract

There are different opinions about the role of hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S) in catalytic and energy processes, but the biochemistry of all possible effects of H 2 S is not well studied yet. The enzymatic synthesis of H 2 S is catalyzed by cystathionine-γ-lyase, cystathionine-β-synthase, cysteine aminotransferase and in mitochondria by 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase only. H 2 S may function as an energy substrate to sustain the ATP synthesis under stress conditions, but in high concentration H 2 S inhibits respiratory complex IV, blocking electron transport and proton pumping. The interaction between glucose in high concentrtaion, H 2 S, and the K ATP channels may constitute a novel mechanism for the control of insulin secretion. The positive effect of H 2 S on the bioenergetic function of mitochondria may be used in therapy of many diseases.

Hydrogen sulfide signaling in plant response to temperature stress

“…On the other hand, in mitochondria, sulfite quinone reductase (SQR) can catalyze H 2 S and GSH to GSSH in the presence of O 2 . The GSSH can be oxidized to SO 3 2- by persulfide dioxygenase (ETHE1) ( Gerush and Ferenchuk, 2019 ; Yang et al., 2022 ). Subsequently, SO 3 2- is further oxidized to SO 4 2- and S 2 O 3 2- by sulfite oxidase (SO) and Rhodanese (namely thiosulfate sulfur transferase), respectively ( Gerush and Ferenchuk, 2019 ; Yang et al., 2022 ) ( Figure 2 ).…”

“…The GSSH can be oxidized to SO 3 2- by persulfide dioxygenase (ETHE1) ( Gerush and Ferenchuk, 2019 ; Yang et al., 2022 ). Subsequently, SO 3 2- is further oxidized to SO 4 2- and S 2 O 3 2- by sulfite oxidase (SO) and Rhodanese (namely thiosulfate sulfur transferase), respectively ( Gerush and Ferenchuk, 2019 ; Yang et al., 2022 ) ( Figure 2 ). Similarly, H 2 S can be methylated under the catalysis of thiol-S-methyltransferase (TMT) to form methanethiol (CH 4 S) and dimethyl sulfide (CH 3 SCH 3 ), and then oxidized to SO 4 2- by Rhodanese ( Yang et al., 2022 ).…”

Biological Functions of Hydrogen Sulfide in Plants

“…H 2 S exhibits diverse physiological and signaling roles, mainly in four distinct biochemical ways ( Figure 2 ): (1) reacting with reactive molecule species, such as ROS, reactive nitrogen species (RNS), hypochlorite (HOCl), and reactive carbonyl species (RCS) [ 52 , 53 , 54 ]; (2) binding to the metal center of metalloproteins or the reduction of the hemoglobin center [ 55 , 56 , 57 ]; (3) post-translationally modifying proteins with specific structures (e.g., proteins containing cysteine residues (-SH)), which are mainly via S -sulfhydration [ 18 , 26 , 28 , 58 ]. The other PTMs are described in detail below [ 18 ]; (4) activities involving the oxidative and methylation pathways [ 33 , 59 ].…”

“…The metabolic pathways of H 2 S include oxidation and methylation [ 59 ] ( Figure 2 ). The oxidation of H 2 S occurs in the mitochondria and involves several enzymes, such as sulfide quinone reductase (SQR) and the ethylmalonic encephalopathy 1 protein (ETHE1, also known as persulfide dioxygenase), thiosulfate sulfurtransferase (TST, also known as rhodanese), and mitochondrial sulfite oxidase.…”

“…At the same time, electrons released by SQR are captured by ubiquinone and transferred from H 2 S to coenzyme Q and to ETC at complex III. The persulfide is further oxidized by ETHE1 to produce SO 3 2− , which is further oxidized by sulfite oxidase to SO 4 2− , or by TST to S 2 O 3 2− [ 59 ]. The metabolism of H 2 S by methylation occurs more as a complementary mechanism to oxidation and takes place in the cytoplasm.…”