Hydrogen sulfide in cell survival: a double-edged sword

Abstract

Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) has been found to play an important role as a signal molecule in regulating cell survival. It appears paradoxical that, on one side, H₂S acts as a physiological intercellular messenger to stimulate cell growth, and on the other side, it may display cytotoxic activity. This article summarizes the current body of evidence demonstrating the cytoprotective versus cytotoxic effects of H₂S in mammalian cells and describes the janus-faced properties of this important gasotransmitter. This article will also provide a brief description of the current signaling mechanisms that have been demonstrated to be responsible for these different actions. The pharmacologic regulation of H₂S production and the potential clinical significance of H₂S are highlighted.

Keywords::

• apoptosis
• cell proliferation
• cystathionine γ-lyase
• diseases
• H₂S
• hydrogen sulfide

Financial & competing interests disclosure

This work was supported by an operating grant from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. Guangdong Yang was supported by a New Investigator award from the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada and a Maureen Andrew New Investigator award from the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario. The author has no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.