title: The possible role of hydrogen sulfide as an endogenous smooth muscle relaxant in synergy with nitric oxide.
abstract: Hydrogen sulfide (H2S), which is well known as a toxic gas, is produced endogenously in mammalian tissues from L-cysteine mainly by two pyridoxal-5'-phosphate-dependent enzymes, cystathionine beta-synthetase and cystathionine gamma-lyase. Recently, we showed that cystathionine beta-synthetase in the brain produces H2S, and that H2S facilitates the induction of hippocampal long-term potentiation by enhancing NMDA receptor activity. Here we show that mRNA for another H2S producing enzyme, cystathionine gamma-lyase, is expressed in the ileum, portal vein, and thoracic aorta. The ileum also expresses cystathionine beta-synthetase mRNA. These tissues produce H2S, and this production is blocked by cystathionine beta-synthetase and cystathionine gamma-lyase specific inhibitors. Although exogenously applied H2S alone relaxed these smooth muscles, much lower concentrations of H2S greatly enhanced the smooth muscle relaxation induced by NO in the thoracic aorta. These observations suggest that the endogenous H2S may regulate smooth muscle tone in synergy with NO.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Pharmacology, Toho University Schol of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba, Japan.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hosoki
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Matsuki
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kimura
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism; D003541:Cystathionine beta-Synthase / Q000096:biosynthesis; D003542:Cystathionine gamma-Lyase / Q000096:biosynthesis; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004357:Drug Synergism; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006862:Hydrogen Sulfide / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D007082:Ileum; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008322:Mammals; D008981:Molsidomine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D009126:Muscle Relaxation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000502:physiology*; D009599:Nitroprusside / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D009599:Nitroprusside; D009569:Nitric Oxide; C002385:linsidomine; D008981:Molsidomine; D003541:Cystathionine beta-Synthase; D003542:Cystathionine gamma-Lyase; D006862:Hydrogen Sulfide