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Review
. 2020 Jul 15;9(7):621.
doi: 10.3390/antiox9070621.

Hydrogen Sulfide: From a Toxic Molecule to a Key Molecule of Cell Life

Angeles Aroca  1   2 , Cecilia Gotor  2 , Diane C Bassham  1 , Luis C Romero  2
Affiliations
Review

Hydrogen Sulfide: From a Toxic Molecule to a Key Molecule of Cell Life

Angeles Aroca et al. Antioxidants (Basel). .

Abstract

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) has always been considered toxic, but a huge number of articles published more recently showed the beneficial biochemical properties of its endogenous production throughout all regna. In this review, the participation of H2S in many physiological and pathological processes in animals is described, and its importance as a signaling molecule in plant systems is underlined from an evolutionary point of view. H2S quantification methods are summarized and persulfidation is described as the underlying mechanism of action in plants, animals and bacteria. This review aims to highlight the importance of its crosstalk with other signaling molecules and its fine regulation for the proper function of the cell and its survival.

Keywords: Hydrogen sulfide; crosstalk; gasotransmitter; human and plant therapies; persulfidation; signaling molecules.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that this research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as potential conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Comparison of signaling molecules in plants and mammals. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S), nitric oxide (NO), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and carbon monoxide (CO) are considered to be signaling molecules in diverse and important physiological pathways in cells. These inorganic molecules are endogenously produced by enzymatic pathways and have similar molecular masses but different chemical reactivity.
Figure 2
Figure 2
H2S is a key activator of multiple physiological processes. H2S–mediated signaling ranges from protein modification by persulfidation to affecting a broad range of physiological processes, including regulation of oxidative stress, postharvest protection, disease resistance, autophagy signaling, energy metabolism regulation and crosstalk with other signaling molecules.
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