Recent Development of the Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms of Hydrogen Sulfide Gasotransmitter

Hydrogen sulfide has been recently identified as the third biological gasotransmitter, along with the more well studied nitric oxide (NO) and carbon monoxide (CO). Intensive studies on its potential as a therapeutic agent for cardiovascular, inflammatory, infectious and neuropathological diseases have been undertaken. Here we review the possible direct targets of H(2)S in mammals. H(2)S directly interacts with reactive oxygen/nitrogen species and is involved in redox signaling. H(2)S also reacts with hemeproteins and modulates metal-containing complexes. Once being oxidized, H(2)S can persulfidate proteins by adding -SSH to the amino acid cysteine. These direct modifications by H(2)S have significant impact on cell structure and many cellular functions, such as tight junctions, autophagy, apoptosis, vesicle trafficking, cell signaling, epigenetics and inflammasomes. Therefore, we conclude that H(2)S is involved in many important cellular and physiological processes. Compounds that donate H(2)S to biological systems can be developed as therapeutics for different diseases.