The Possible Role of Hydrogen Sulfide as an Endogenous Smooth Muscle Relaxant in Synergy with Nitric Oxide

doi:10.1006/bbrc.1997.6878

Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications

Volume 237, Issue 3, 28 August 1997, Pages 527-531

https://doi.org/10.1006/bbrc.1997.6878 Get rights and content

Abstract

Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), which is well known as a toxic gas, is produced endogenously in mammalian tissues from L-cysteine mainly by two pyridoxal-5′-phosphate-dependent enzymes, cystathionine β-synthetase and cystathionine γ-lyase. Recently, we showed that cystathionine β-synthetase in the brain produces H₂S, and that H₂S facilitates the induction of hippocampal long-term potentiation by enhancing NMDA receptor activity. Here we show that mRNA for another H₂S producing enzyme, cystathionine γ-lyase, is expressed in the ileum, portal vein, and thoracic aorta. The ileum also expresses cystathionine β-synthetase mRNA. These tissues produce H₂S, and this production is blocked by cystathionine β-synthetase and cystathionine γ-lyase specific inhibitors. Although exogenously applied H₂S alone relaxed these smooth muscles, much lower concentrations of H₂S greatly enhanced the smooth muscle relaxation induced by NO in the thoracic aorta. These observations suggest that the endogenous H₂S may regulate smooth muscle tone in synergy with NO.

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^☆: Abbreviations: H₂S, hydrogen sulfideNO, nitric oxide; CO, carbon monoxide; NaHS, sodium hydrosulfide; EDRF, endothelium-derived relaxing factor; SEM, the standard error of the mean;

¹: To whom correspondence should be addressed. Fax: (619) 535-9062.

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Regular ArticleThe Possible Role of Hydrogen Sulfide as an Endogenous Smooth Muscle Relaxant in Synergy with Nitric Oxide☆

Abstract

Eur. J. Pharmacol.

Biochem. Pharmacol.

Neuron

Methods Enzymol.

J. Biol. Chem.

Analytical Biochemistry

Biochem. Pharmacol.

Biochim. Biophys. Acta

J. Chromatogr.

J. Eur. J. Pharmacol.

Nature

J. Pharmac. Exp. Ther.

Nature

Nature

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA.

Am. J. Physiol.

Science

Regular Article
The Possible Role of Hydrogen Sulfide as an Endogenous Smooth Muscle Relaxant in Synergy with Nitric Oxide☆