Gasotransmitters: Novel Roles of Ancient Gases in the Plant Response to Temperature Stress / 中国生物化学与分子生物学报

Gas molecules including hydrogen sulfide, nitric oxide, carbon monoxide, ethylene, hydrogen gas, ammonia, methane, hydrogen cyanide, and sulfur dioxide were the main components of primitive atmosphere on the earth four billion years ago. Nowadays, these gases are viewed as gasotransmitters (GTs) in organisms, namely endogenously gaseous molecules. GTs not only regulate many physiological and pathological processes, such as breathing, blood pressure, learning, memory, and the inflammatory response in animals, but also play a key role in the stomatal movement, seed germination, plant growth, development, and response to environmental stress. In this review, we cover the current progress on the metabolism of GTs, their response to temperature stress in plants, and their general characteristics, anabolism, catabolism. In addition, we highlight the key role of the antioxidant system, the osmoregulation system, the ion balance system, the water balance system, heat shock proteins, post-translational modifications, and re-establishment and repair of biomembranes in the mitigation of oxidative stress, osmotic stress, ion stress, water stress, protein denaturation, and biomembrane injury induced by temperature stress. The alleviation of these injuries could increase the resistance of plants to high temperature and low temperature stresses. Furthermore, we summarize the interactions among GTs by initiating chemical reaction, regulating metabolic enzymes, competing target molecules, and triggering new signaling to modulate temperature stress tolerance in plants. The aim of this review is to drive the rapid progress on GTs in the field of plant biology in the future.

Nature's marvels endowed in gaseous molecules I: Carbon monoxide and its physiological and therapeutic roles

Nature has endowed gaseous molecules such as O

Involvement of K+ATP and Ca2+ channels in hydrogen sulfide-suppressed ageing of porcine oocytes

BACKGROUND: Hydrogen sulfide has been shown to improve the quality of oocytes destined for in vitro fertilization. Although hydrogen sulfide is capable of modulating ion channel activity in somatic cells, the role of hydrogen sulfide in gametes and embryos remains unknown. Our observations confirmed the hypothesis that the KATP and L-type Ca2+ ion channels play roles in porcine oocyte ageing and revealed a plausible contribution of hydrogen sulfide to the modulation of ion channel activity. RESULTS: We confirmed the benefits of the activation and suppression of the KATP and L-type Ca2+ ion channels, respectively, for the preservation of oocyte quality. CONCLUSIONS: Our experiments identified hydrogen sulfide as promoting the desired ion channel activity, with the capacity to protect porcine oocytes against cell death. Further experiments are needed to determine the exact mechanism of hydrogen sulfide in gametes and embryos.

Gaso-transmitter hydrogen sulphide: Potential new target in pharmacotherapy.

Research in the last two decades has transformed the way hydrogen sulphide (H2S) is perceived from a noxious gas to a gaso-transmitter with a vast potential in pharmacotherapy. H2S is synthesized in various body-systems using the enzymes cystathionine beta-synthase and cystathionine gamma-lyase; either of these being the predominat enzyme in a particular system. H2S may be one of the physiological modulators of blood pressure in humans. The gas relaxes the vascular smooth muscle cells by opening up KATP channels. Moreover, it suppresses the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells. H2S may also be contributing in the protection afforded by ischaemia-preconditioning. Testosterone is thought to be responsible for the higher central nervous system level of H2S in males. In the central nervous system, H2S is implicated in Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy, stroke and Down’s syndrome. Insulin secretion is associated with a decrease in the H2S levels. Raised H2S is detrimental in acute pancreatitis as well as in septic shock. Recently, H2S-releasing derivatives of certain drugs have shown promise in protection against gastric ulcer and in inflammatory bowel disease. The beneficial effects of certain sulphur containing herbs like ginseng and garlic may be mediated via H2S. In future, development of specific drugs modulating H2S levels may prove beneficial in varied disorders.

Role of hydrogen sulfide in the cardiovascular diseases / 国际外科学杂志

Endogenous hydrogen sulfide (H_2S) is to third found gaseous transmitter.In cardiovascular system, H_2S is produced endogenously by cystathionine γ-lyase (CSE)and plays an important role in the regulation of cardiovascular physiologic function and patho physiological processes.The CSE/H_2S system has a variety of biological effects in the cardiovascular system, such as inducing vasorelaxation,decreases blood pressure,inhibiting vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and inducing anti-oxidant.It is also concerned with variety of cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension, hyperlipemia, atherosclerosis,coronary artery disease and so on.We summarize the biochemical characteristics and the physiological functions of endogenous H_2S and its patho physiological effects in cardiovascular diseases.

Progress in the role of hydrogen sulfide in inflammation / 国际儿科学杂志

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) was considered as the third gasotransmitter,along with nitric oxide and carbon monoxide,with extensively biological activities.Considerable evidence showed that H2S was involved in inflammatory processes such as in inflammatory cells,inflammatory mediates,vascular tension and signaling pathways.Previous studies suggested H2S played a bidirectional role in regulating inflammation including pro- and anti-inflammatory actions due to different animal models.Further study about the role and mechanism of H2S in inflammation will contribute to efficient prevention and treatment for inflammatory diseases.

H_2S:the third endogenous gaseous transmitter / 中国药理学通报

It is hypothesized that H 2S is the third endogenous signaling gasotransmitter, after NO and CO. Endogenous H 2S may regulate some aspects of synaptic activity via cAMP mediated pathways and function as a neuromodulator or transmitter. H 2S is an endogenous vasorelaxant factor that activates K ATP channels and hyperpolarizes membrane potential of vascular SMCs. By directly acting on vascular SMCs, H 2S may reduce the extracellular calcium entry and relax vascular tissues.