Hydrogen sulfide and polysulfides as signaling molecules

• KIMURA Hideo

  Department of Molecular Pharmacology, National Institute of Neuroscience, NCNP

Abstract

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.

Journal

• Proceedings of the Japan Academy, Series B

  Proceedings of the Japan Academy, Series B 91 (4), 131-159, 2015

  The Japan Academy

Keywords

• hydrogen sulfide
• polysulfides
• neuromodulator
• vascular relaxant
• cytoprotectant
• TRPA1

Details

• CRID: 1390001204145006976
• NII Article ID: 130005061418
• NII Book ID: AA00785485
• DOI: 10.2183/pjab.91.131
• ISSN: 13492896
• ISSN: 03862208
• NDL BIB ID: 026365645
• PubMed: 25864468
• Web Site: https://ndlsearch.ndl.go.jp/books/R000000004-I026365645
• Web Site: https://search.jamas.or.jp/link/ui/2015300947
• Text Lang: en
• Data Source:
  • JaLC
  • NDL
  • Crossref
  • PubMed
  • CiNii Articles
  • KAKEN
• Abstract License Flag: Disallowed