title: Production of hydrogen sulfide from d-cysteine and its therapeutic potential.
abstract: Accumulating evidence shows that H2S has physiological functions in various tissues and organs. It includes regulation of neuronal activity, vascular tension, a release of insulin, and protection of the heart, kidney, and brain from ischemic insult. H2S is produced by enzymes from l-cysteine; cystathionine β-synthase, cystathionine γ-lyase, and 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase (3MST) along with cysteine aminotransferase. We recently discovered an additional pathway for the production of H2S from d-cysteine. d-Amino acid oxidase provides 3-mercaptopyruvate for 3MST to produce H2S. d-Cysteine protects cerebellar neurons from oxidative stress and attenuates ischemia-reperfusion injury caused in the kidney more effectively than l-cysteine. This review focuses on a novel pathway for the production of H2S and its therapeutic application especially to the renal diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Pharmacology, National Institute of Neuroscience , Kodaira, Tokyo , Japan.
authors.forename: Norihiro
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Shibuya
authors.forename: Hideo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kimura
keywords: 3MST; DAO; bound sulfane sulfur; d-cysteine; hydrogen sulfide; ischemia-reperfusion injury; l-cysteine