H2S Signals Through Protein S-Sulfhydration
TL;DR: Ex vivo endogenous H2S physiologically modifies cysteine residues in many proteins, including glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) and actin, converting Cysteine -SH groups to -SSH groups in a process the authors call S-sulfhydration.
Abstract: Hydrogen sulfide (H2S), a messenger molecule generated by cystathionine gamma-lyase, acts as a physiologic vasorelaxant. Mechanisms whereby H2S signals have been elusive. We now show that H2S physiologically modifies cysteines in a large number of proteins by S-sulfhydration. About 10 to 25% of many liver proteins, including actin, tubulin, and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), are sulfhydrated under physiological conditions. Sulfhydration augments GAPDH activity and enhances actin polymerization. Sulfhydration thus appears to be a physiologic posttranslational modification for proteins.
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TL;DR: The important life-supporting role of hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S) has evolved from bacteria to plants, invertebrates, vertebrate, vertebrates, and finally to mammals, but over the centuries it had only been known for its toxicity and environmental hazard.
Abstract: The important life-supporting role of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) has evolved from bacteria to plants, invertebrates, vertebrates, and finally to mammals. Over the centuries, however, H2S had only been known for its toxicity and environmental hazard. Physiological importance of H2S has been appreciated for about a decade. It started by the discovery of endogenous H2S production in mammalian cells and gained momentum by typifying this gasotransmitter with a variety of physiological functions. The H2S-catalyzing enzymes are differentially expressed in cardiovascular, neuronal, immune, renal, respiratory, gastrointestinal, reproductive, liver, and endocrine systems and affect the functions of these systems through the production of H2S. The physiological functions of H2S are mediated by different molecular targets, such as different ion channels and signaling proteins. Alternations of H2S metabolism lead to an array of pathological disturbances in the form of hypertension, atherosclerosis, heart failure, diabetes...
1,560 citations
Cites background or methods from "H2S Signals Through Protein S-Sulfh..."
...1 subunits heterologously expressed in HEK293 cells has also been reported based on the biotin switch assay result (420)....
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...DTT treatment also released more H2S from Na2S preabsorbed brain homogenates than without preabsorption....
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...In contrast, Snitrosylation may only be applicable to 1–2% of targeted proteins (420)....
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...This is evidenced by the 25–30% reduction of liver GAPDH sulfhydration after CSE is knocked out and endogenous H2S production is minimized despite normal levels of GAPDH protein (420)....
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...Cys150 of GAPDH can be nitrosylated (230) or sulfhydrated (420), for example....
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TL;DR: Pharmacological experiments using H₂S donors and genetic experiments using CSE knockout mice suggest important roles for this vasodilator gas in the regulation of blood vessel caliber, cardiac response to ischemia/reperfusion injury, and inflammation.
Abstract: Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) is a gaseous mediator synthesized from cysteine by cystathionine γ lyase (CSE) and other naturally occurring enzymes. Pharmacological experiments using H₂S donors and genetic experiments using CSE knockout mice suggest important roles for this vasodilator gas in the regulation of blood vessel caliber, cardiac response to ischemia/reperfusion injury, and inflammation. That H₂S inhibits cytochrome c oxidase and reduces cell energy production has been known for many decades, but more recently, a number of additional pharmacological targets for this gas have been identified. H₂S activates K(ATP) and transient receptor potential (TRP) channels but usually inhibits big conductance Ca²(+)-sensitive K(+) (BK(Ca)) channels, T-type calcium channels, and M-type calcium channels. H₂S may inhibit or activate NF-κB nuclear translocation while affecting the activity of numerous kinases including p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK), extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), and Akt. These disparate effects may be secondary to the well-known reducing activity of H₂S and/or its ability to promote sulfhydration of protein cysteine moieties within the cell.
1,129 citations
Cites background from "H2S Signals Through Protein S-Sulfh..."
...HYDROGEN SULFIDE IN CELL SIGNALING—THE ROLE OF S-SULFHYDRATION H2S causes S-sulfhydration of a large number of cellular proteins (71); this process is potentially significant because it provides a possible mechanism by which H2S alters the function of a wide range of cellular proteins and enzymes....
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...Recently, the KATP channel has been reported to be sulfhydrated by H2S (71)....
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...S-sulfhydration seems to be a common posttranslational modification event in the cell, with 10–25% of all mouse liver proteins reported to exist in this state (71)....
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TL;DR: This Review will focus exclusively on cysteine, whose identity as cellular target or “sensor” of reactive intermediates is most prevalent and established and which results in a range of sulfur-containing products, not just disulfide bridges, as typically presented in biochemistry textbooks.
Abstract: Reactive oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur species, referred to as ROS, RNS, and RSS, respectively, are produced during normal cell function and in response to various stimuli. An imbalance in the metabolism of these reactive intermediates results in the phenomenon known as oxidative stress. If left unchecked, oxidative molecules can inflict damage on all classes of biological macromolecules and eventually lead to cell death. Indeed, sustained elevated levels of reactive species have been implicated in the etiology (e.g., atherosclerosis, hypertension, diabetes) or the progression (e.g., stroke, cancer, and neurodegenerative disorders) of a number of human diseases.1 Over the past several decades, however, a new paradigm has emerged in which the aforementioned species have also been shown to function as targeted, intracellular second messengers with regulatory roles in an array of physiological processes.2 Against this backdrop, it is not surprising that considerable ongoing efforts are aimed at elucidating the role that these reactive intermediates play in health and disease.
Site-specific, covalent modification of proteins represents a prominent molecular mechanism for transforming an oxidant signal into a biological response. Amino acids that are candidates for reversible modification include cysteines whose thiol (i.e., sulfhydryl) side chain is deprotonated at physiological pH, which is an important attribute for enhancing reactivity. While reactive species can modify other amino acids (e.g., histidine, methionine, tryptophan, and tyrosine), this Review will focus exclusively on cysteine, whose identity as cellular target or “sensor” of reactive intermediates is most prevalent and established.3 Oxidation of thiols results in a range of sulfur-containing products, not just disulfide bridges, as typically presented in biochemistry textbooks. An overview of the most relevant forms of oxidized sulfur species found in vivo is presented in Chart 1.
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Chart 1
Biologically Relevant Cysteine Chemotypesa
aRed, irreversible modifications. Green, unique enzyme intermediates. Note: Additional modifications can form as enzyme intermediates including thiyl radicals, disulfides, and persulfides.
899 citations
TL;DR: Access to this growing chemical toolbox of new molecular probes for H2S and related RSS sets the stage for applying these developing technologies to probe reactive sulfur biology in living systems.
Abstract: Hydrogen sulfide (H2S), a gaseous species produced by both bacteria and higher eukaryotic organisms, including mammalian vertebrates, has attracted attention in recent years for its contributions to human health and disease. H2S has been proposed as a cytoprotectant and gasotransmitter in many tissue types, including mediating vascular tone in blood vessels as well as neuromodulation in the brain. The molecular mechanisms dictating how H2S affects cellular signaling and other physiological events remain insufficiently understood. Furthermore, the involvement of H2S in metal-binding interactions and formation of related RSS such as sulfane sulfur may contribute to other distinct signaling pathways. Owing to its widespread biological roles and unique chemical properties, H2S is an appealing target for chemical biology approaches to elucidate its production, trafficking, and downstream function. In this context, reaction-based fluorescent probes offer a versatile set of screening tools to visualize H2S pools in living systems. Three main strategies used in molecular probe development for H2S detection include azide and nitro group reduction, nucleophilic attack, and CuS precipitation. Each of these approaches exploits the strong nucleophilicity and reducing potency of H2S to achieve selectivity over other biothiols. In addition, a variety of methods have been developed for the detection of other reactive sulfur species (RSS), including sulfite and bisulfite, as well as sulfane sulfur species and related modifications such as S-nitrosothiols. Access to this growing chemical toolbox of new molecular probes for H2S and related RSS sets the stage for applying these developing technologies to probe reactive sulfur biology in living systems.
831 citations
TL;DR: A pair of new reaction-based fluorescent probes for selective imaging of H(2)S in living cells that exploit the H( 2)S-mediated reduction of azides to fluorescent amines and display high selectivity over other biologically relevant reactive sulfur, oxygen, and nitrogen species are reported.
Abstract: Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is emerging as an important mediator of human physiology and pathology but remains difficult to study, in large part because of the lack of methods for selective monitoring of this small signaling molecule in live biological specimens. We now report a pair of new reaction-based fluorescent probes for selective imaging of H2S in living cells that exploit the H2S-mediated reduction of azides to fluorescent amines. Sulfidefluor-1 (SF1) and Sulfidefluor-2 (SF2) respond to H2S by a turn-on fluorescence signal enhancement and display high selectivity for H2S over other biologically relevant reactive sulfur, oxygen, and nitrogen species. In addition, SF1 and SF2 can be used to detect H2S in both water and live cells, providing a potentially powerful approach for probing H2S chemistry in biological systems.
697 citations
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TL;DR: It is shown that H2S is physiologically generated by cystathionine γ-lyase (CSE) and that genetic deletion of this enzyme in mice markedly reduces H 2S levels in the serum, heart, aorta, and other tissues.
Abstract: Studies of nitric oxide over the past two decades have highlighted the fundamental importance of gaseous signaling molecules in biology and medicine The physiological role of other gases such as carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is now receiving increasing attention Here we show that H2S is physiologically generated by cystathionine γ-lyase (CSE) and that genetic deletion of this enzyme in mice markedly reduces H2S levels in the serum, heart, aorta, and other tissues Mutant mice lacking CSE display pronounced hypertension and diminished endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation CSE is physiologically activated by calcium-calmodulin, which is a mechanism for H2S formation in response to vascular activation These findings provide direct evidence that H2S is a physiologic vasodilator and regulator of blood pressure
2,090 citations
TL;DR: S-nitrosylation conveys a large part of the ubiquitous influence of nitric oxide on cellular signal transduction, and provides a mechanism for redox-based physiological regulation.
Abstract: S-nitrosylation, the covalent attachment of a nitrogen monoxide group to the thiol side chain of cysteine, has emerged as an important mechanism for dynamic, post-translational regulation of most or all main classes of protein. S-nitrosylation thereby conveys a large part of the ubiquitous influence of nitric oxide (NO) on cellular signal transduction, and provides a mechanism for redox-based physiological regulation.
2,006 citations
TL;DR: It is demonstrated that H2S is an important endogenous vasoactive factor and the first identified gaseous opener of KATP channels in vascular SMCs and production from vascular tissues was enhanced by nitric oxide.
Abstract: Hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S) has been traditionally viewed as a toxic gas. It is also, however, endogenously generated from cysteine metabolism. We attempted to assess the physiological role of H(2)S in the regulation of vascular contractility, the modulation of H(2)S production in vascular tissues, and the underlying mechanisms. Intravenous bolus injection of H(2)S transiently decreased blood pressure of rats by 12- 30 mmHg, which was antagonized by prior blockade of K(ATP) channels. H(2)S relaxed rat aortic tissues in vitro in a K(ATP) channel-dependent manner. In isolated vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs), H(2)S directly increased K(ATP) channel currents and hyperpolarized membrane. The expression of H(2)S-generating enzyme was identified in vascular SMCs, but not in endothelium. The endogenous production of H(2)S from different vascular tissues was also directly measured with the abundant level in the order of tail artery, aorta and mesenteric artery. Most importantly, H(2)S production from vascular tissues was enhanced by nitric oxide. Our results demonstrate that H(2)S is an important endogenous vasoactive factor and the first identified gaseous opener of K(ATP) channels in vascular SMCs.
1,727 citations
"H2S Signals Through Protein S-Sulfh..." refers background in this paper
...derived relaxing factor activity of H2S involves opening of adenosine 5′-triphosphate (ATP)–sensitive potassium channels (6, 14)....
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TL;DR: The physiology and biochemistry of H2S is overviews, the effects of H 2S inhibitors or H2s donors in animal models of disease are summarized, the potential options for the therapeutic exploitation of H1S are outlined and they are outlined.
Abstract: Hydrogen sulphide (H2S) is increasingly being recognized as an important signalling molecule in the cardiovascular and nervous systems. The production of H2S from L-cysteine is catalysed primarily by two enzymes, cystathionine gamma-lyase and cystathionine beta-synthase. Evidence is accumulating to demonstrate that inhibitors of H2S production or therapeutic H2S donor compounds exert significant effects in various animal models of inflammation, reperfusion injury and circulatory shock. H2S can also induce a reversible state of hypothermia and suspended-animation-like state in rodents. This article overviews the physiology and biochemistry of H2S, summarizes the effects of H2S inhibitors or H2S donors in animal models of disease and outlines the potential options for the therapeutic exploitation of H2S.
1,639 citations
"H2S Signals Through Protein S-Sulfh..." refers background in this paper
...Recent evidence indicates that hydrogen sulfide (H2S) also acts as a messenger to elicit hibernation states (2), inhibit insulin signaling (3), and regulate inflammation (4) and blood vessel caliber (5)....
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...We elected to study sulfhydration in the liver because it generates high amounts of H2S (4)....
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TL;DR: Protein S-nitrosylation is established as a physiological signalling mechanism for neuronally generated NO in mice harbouring a genomic deletion of neuronal NO synthase (nNOS).
Abstract: Nitric oxide (NO) has been linked to numerous physiological and pathophysiological events that are not readily explained by the well established effects of NO on soluble guanylyl cyclase. Exogenous NO S-nitrosylates cysteine residues in proteins, but whether this is an important function of endogenous NO is unclear. Here, using a new proteomic approach, we identify a population of proteins that are endogenously S-nitrosylated, and demonstrate the loss of this modification in mice harbouring a genomic deletion of neuronal NO synthase (nNOS). Targets of NO include metabolic, structural and signalling proteins that may be effectors for neuronally generated NO. These findings establish protein S-nitrosylation as a physiological signalling mechanism for nNOS.
1,386 citations