title: Production of H2S by 3-mercaptopyruvate sulphurtransferase.
abstract: Hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S) has been established as the third gaseous signaling molecule following nitric oxide and carbon monoxide and participates in a variety of cellular functions such as modulation of neuronal transmission, endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation, stimulation of angiogenesis and regulation of insulin release. Although cystathionine β-synthase and cystathionine γ-lyase have been regarded as the main producers of H(2)S in many tissues including brain, liver and kidney, Kimura and his colleagues have recently communicated that 3-mercaptopyruvate sulphurtransferase coupled with cysteine (aspartate) aminotransferase is responsible for the production of H(2)S in the vascular endothelium of the thoracic aorta [Shibuya et al. (2009) J. Biochem. 146, 623-626]. This finding provides a new insight into the production of the physiologically important signaling molecule.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research, Osaka University, 8-1 Mihogaoka, Ibaraki, Osaka 567-0047, Japan. tanizawa@sanken.osaka-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Katsuyuki
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tanizawa
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000201:enzymology*; D006862:Hydrogen Sulfide / Q000378:metabolism*; D013466:Sulfurtransferases / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D013466:Sulfurtransferases; D006862:Hydrogen Sulfide