Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) and Polysulfide (H2Sn) Signaling: The First 25 Years
Open Access
- 16 June 2021
- journal article
- review article
- Published by MDPI AG in Biomolecules
- Vol. 11 (6), 896
- https://doi.org/10.3390/biom11060896
Abstract
Since the first description of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) as a toxic gas in 1713 by Bernardino Ramazzini, most studies on H2S have concentrated on its toxicity. In 1989, Warenycia et al. demonstrated the existence of endogenous H2S in the brain, suggesting that H2S may have physiological roles. In 1996, we demonstrated that hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a potential signaling molecule, which can be produced by cystathionine β-synthase (CBS) to modify neurotransmission in the brain. Subsequently, we showed that H2S relaxes vascular smooth muscle in synergy with nitric oxide (NO) and that cystathionine γ-lyase (CSE) is another producing enzyme. This study also opened up a new research area of a crosstalk between H2S and NO. The cytoprotective effect, anti-inflammatory activity, energy formation, and oxygen sensing by H2S have been subsequently demonstrated. Two additional pathways for the production of H2S with 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase (3MST) from l- and d-cysteine have been identified. We also discovered that hydrogen polysulfides (H2Sn, n ≥ 2) are potential signaling molecules produced by 3MST. H2Sn regulate the activity of ion channels and enzymes, as well as even the growth of tumors. S-Sulfuration (S-sulfhydration) proposed by Snyder is the main mechanism for H2S/H2Sn underlying regulation of the activity of target proteins. This mini review focuses on the key findings on H2S/H2Sn signaling during the first 25 years.Keywords
Funding Information
- Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (JP20dm0107085)
- KAKENHI (17K08331)
This publication has 104 references indexed in Scilit:
- Cystathionine Beta-Synthase (CBS) Contributes to Advanced Ovarian Cancer Progression and Drug ResistancePLOS ONE, 2013
- The Redox ProteomeOnline Journal of Public Health Informatics, 2013
- Proteome adaptations in Ethe1-deficient mice indicate a role in lipid catabolism and cytoskeleton organization via post-translational protein modificationsBioscience Reports, 2013
- Hydrogen Sulfide Is an Endogenous Potentiator of T Cell Activation*Online Journal of Public Health Informatics, 2012
- Identification of in Vivo Disulfide Conformation of TRPA1 Ion ChannelOnline Journal of Public Health Informatics, 2012
- Hydrogen Sulfide as Endothelium-Derived Hyperpolarizing Factor Sulfhydrates Potassium ChannelsCirculation Research, 2011
- H 2 S Signals Through Protein S-SulfhydrationScience Signaling, 2009
- Hydrogen sulfide attenuates myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury by preservation of mitochondrial functionProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 2007
- The vasorelaxant effect of H2S as a novel endogenous gaseous KATP channel openerThe EMBO Journal, 2001
- The obligatory role of endothelial cells in the relaxation of arterial smooth muscle by acetylcholineNature, 1980