ReviewFunctional and Molecular Insights of Hydrogen Sulfide Signaling and Protein Sulfhydration

- H2S, a newly discovered gaso-neurotransmitter, signals inside the cells mostly via sulfhydration of proteins.
- Modulation of autophagy by H2S signaling pathway is implicated in ischemia, myocardial fibrosis, metabolic disorders, and traumatic brain injury.
- H2S affects cellular metabolism, which affects tumor growth and angiogenesis.
- The maintenance, proliferation, and differentiation of stem cells are regulated by H2S.
- The influence of H2S signaling in cell cycle and cell death pathways is associated with cancer and neurodegenerative diseases.

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S), a novel gasotransmitter, is endogenously synthesized by multiple enzymes that are differentially expressed in the peripheral tissues and central nervous systems. H2S regulates a wide range of physiological processes, namely cardiovascular, neuronal, immune, respiratory, gastrointestinal, liver, and endocrine systems, by influencing cellular signaling pathways and sulfhydration of target proteins. This review focuses on the recent progress made in H2S signaling that affects mechanistic and functional aspects of several biological processes such as autophagy, inflammation, proliferation and differentiation of stem cell, cell survival/death, and cellular metabolism under both physiological and pathological conditions. Moreover, we highlighted the cross-talk between nitric oxide and H2S in several bilogical contexts.

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