Hydrogen sulfide: a new EDRF.
The first endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) ever identified is a gasotransmitter, nitric oxide (NO). Recent studies have provided several lines of evidence to support the premise that hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S), another gasotransmitter, is a new EDRF. H(2)S production is catalyzed in mammalian cells by cystathionine beta-synthase (CBS) and/or cystathionine gamma-lyase (CSE). The expression of CSE proteins and the activity of CBS have been observed in vascular endothelial cells. A measurable amount of H(2)S is produced from endothelium upon muscarinic cholinergic stimulation. The endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation induced by H(2)S shares many common mechanistic traits with those of endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF). Deficiency in CSE expression increases blood pressure in CSE knockout mice and significantly diminishes endothelium-dependent relaxation of resistance arteries. More extensive and mechanistic studies in the future will help to determine whether H(2)S is a new EDRF or the very EDHF.
Wang
Rui
R
Department of Biology, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. rwang@lakeheadu.ca
D000818:Animals; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000502:physiology; D045462:Endothelium-Dependent Relaxing Factors; D006801:Humans; D006862:Hydrogen Sulfide / Q000378:metabolism; D014664:Vasodilation
D045462:Endothelium-Dependent Relaxing Factors; D006862:Hydrogen Sulfide