Hydrogen sulfide and polysulfides as signaling molecules

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a familiar toxic gas that smells of rotten eggs. After the identification of endogenous H2S in the mammalian brain two decades ago, studies of this molecule uncovered physiological roles in processes such as neuromodulation, vascular tone regulation, cytoprotection against...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Proceedings of the Japan Academy Series B, 2015/04/10, Vol.91(4), pp.131-159
Main Author: KIMURA, Hideo
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
cytoprotectant
Cytoprotection
Enzymes
Humans
Hydrogen sulfide
Hydrogen Sulfide - metabolism
Molecular biology
Neurobiology
neuromodulator
Nitric oxide
Nitric Oxide - metabolism
Polysulfides
Review
Signal Transduction
Sulfides - metabolism
Synaptic Transmission
TRPA1
vascular relaxant
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Summary:Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a familiar toxic gas that smells of rotten eggs. After the identification of endogenous H2S in the mammalian brain two decades ago, studies of this molecule uncovered physiological roles in processes such as neuromodulation, vascular tone regulation, cytoprotection against oxidative stress, angiogenesis, anti-inflammation, and oxygen sensing. Enzymes that produce H2S, such as cystathionine β-synthase, cystathionine γ-lyase, and 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase have been studied intensively and well characterized. Polysulfides, which have a higher number of inner sulfur atoms than that in H2S, were recently identified as potential signaling molecules that can activate ion channels, transcription factors, and tumor suppressors with greater potency than that of H2S. This article focuses on our contribution to the discovery of these molecules and their metabolic pathways and mechanisms of action.
ISSN:0386-2208
0021-4280
1349-2896
DOI:10.2183/pjab.91.131