3-Mercaptopyruvate Sulfurtransferase Produces Hydrogen Sulfide and Bound Sulfane Sulfur in the Brain

Abstract

Hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S) is a synaptic modulator as well as a neuroprotectant. Currently, pyridoxal-5'-phosphate (PLP)-dependent cystathionine beta-synthase (CBS) is thought to be the major H(2)S-producing enzyme in the brain. We recently found that brain homogenates of CBS-knockout mice, even in the absence of PLP, produce H(2)S at levels similar to those of wild-type mice, suggesting the presence of another H(2)S-producing enzyme. Here we show that 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase (3MST) in combination with cysteine aminotransferase (CAT) produces H(2)S from cysteine. In addition, 3MST is localized to neurons, and the levels of bound sulfane sulfur, the precursor of H(2)S, are greatly increased in the cells expressing 3MST and CAT but not increased in cells expressing functionally defective mutant enzymes. These data present a new perspective on H(2)S production and storage in the brain.

Hydrogen Sulfide Inhibits High Glucose-induced Matrix Protein Synthesis by Activating AMP-activated Protein Kinase in Renal Epithelial Cells

“…Following release, hydrogen sulfide can be stored in cells as bound sulfane sulfur that can be released by reducing conditions (44). Bound sulfane sulfur is the major determinant of physiological functions of hydrogen sulfide (45)(46)(47). Recent studies indicate that hydrogen sulfide has diverse effects on cell function including cell survival, hemodynamics, and inflammation (44); however, its role in protein synthesis has not been examined in detail.…”

Selective fluorescent probes for live-cell monitoring of sulphide

“…H 2 S, or aqueous sulphide, elicits diverse physiological responses, including modulation of blood pressure and reduction of ischemia reperfusion injury [3][4][5] , exertion of anti-inflammatory effects 6 and reduction of metabolic rate 7 . The production of H 2 S is catalysed by the two pyridoxal 5′-phosphate-dependent enzymes, cystathionine β-synthase (CBS) 8 , and cystathionine γ-lyase 9 , and indirectly, via a pyridoxal 5′-phosphateindependent enzyme, 3-mercaptopyruvate sulphurtransferase 10 .…”

Hydrogen Sulfide Protects the Retina from Light-induced Degeneration by the Modulation of Ca2+ Influx

“…Hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S) is synthesized by three enzymes: cystathionine ␤-synthase (CBS), 2 cystathionine ␥-lyase (CSE), and 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase (3MST) along with cysteine aminotransferase (CAT) (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6). 3MST produces H 2 S from 3-mercaptopyruvate (3MP), which is produced from cysteine and ␣-ketoglutarate (␣-KG) by CAT that is identical with aspartate aminotransferase (4,7,8).…”

“…3MST produces H 2 S from 3-mercaptopyruvate (3MP), which is produced from cysteine and ␣-ketoglutarate (␣-KG) by CAT that is identical with aspartate aminotransferase (4,7,8). In the central nervous system, CBS is mainly localized to astrocytes, and 3MST to neurons (4,9,10).…”