title: Hydrogen sulfide in signaling pathways.
abstract: For a long time hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) was considered a toxic compound, but recently H₂S (at low concentrations) has been found to play an important function in physiological processes. Hydrogen sulfide, like other well-known compounds - nitric oxide (NO) and carbon monoxide (CO) is a gaseous intracellular signal transducer. It regulates the cell cycle, apoptosis and the oxidative stress. Moreover, its functions include neuromodulation, regulation of cardiovascular system and inflammation. In this review, I focus on the metabolism of hydrogen sulfide (including enzymatic pathways of H₂S synthesis from l- and d-cysteine) and its signaling pathways in the cardiovascular system and the nervous system. I also describe how hydrogen sulfide may be used as therapeutic agent, i.e. in the cardiovascular diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Biochemistry, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Pomorska 141/143, 90-236 Lodz, Poland. Electronic address: olasb@biol.uni.lodz.pl.
authors.forename: Beata
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Olas
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D006862:Hydrogen Sulfide / Q000097:blood / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: D006862:Hydrogen Sulfide
keywords: Garlic; Gasotransmitter; Hydrogen sulfide; Signaling pathways