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Review
. 2023 Sep 21;3(10):2677-2691.
doi: 10.1021/jacsau.3c00427. eCollection 2023 Oct 23.

Advances and Opportunities in H2S Measurement in Chemical Biology

Haley M Smith  1 , Michael D Pluth  1
Affiliations
Review

Advances and Opportunities in H2S Measurement in Chemical Biology

Haley M Smith et al. JACS Au. .

Abstract

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is an important biological mediator across all kingdoms of life and plays intertwined roles in various disciplines, ranging from geochemical cycles to industrial processes. A common need across these broad disciplines is the ability to detect and measure H2S in complex sample environments. This Perspective focuses on key advances and opportunities for H2S detection and quantification that are relevant to chemical biology. Specifically, we focus on methods for H2S detection and quantification most commonly used in biological samples, including activity-based H2S probes, the methylene blue assay, the monobromobimane assay, and H2S-sensitive electrode measurements. Our goal is to help simplify what at first may seem to be an overwhelming array of detection and measurement choices, to articulate the strengths and limitations of individual techniques, and to highlight key unmet needs and opportunities in the field.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing financial interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
General schematic of broad fields in which H2S plays an important role.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Selected pathways for the generation of endogenous H2S in mammalian systems.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Schematic summary of the different RSS pools.
Figure 4
Figure 4
General scheme for the primary approaches for activity-based probes for H2S detection.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Schematic of the methylene blue method for H2S quantification.
Figure 6
Figure 6
(a) General schematic for the reaction of mBB to form SdB in the presence of H2S. (b) Summary of the workflow for the mBB method for H2S quantification including the general approach for separating sulfide sources from the acid- and reductant-labile sulfur pools.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Overview of the trade-off between sensitivity and experimental complexity for common approaches for H2S measurement.
Figure 8
Figure 8
(a) H2S responsive electrode response to different H2S concentrations at pH values from 6.0 to 8.0. (b) H2S responsive electrode response to different H2S concentrations in the presence of different concentrations of GSH.
Figure 9
Figure 9
Increasing the sample headspace can impact measured H2S concentrations in solution based on partitioning of H2S between the solution and gas phases of the sample.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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