Hydrogen sulfide signalling in the CNS - Comparison with NO

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) together with polysulfides (H2Sn,n > 2) are signalling molecules like NO with various physiological roles including regulation of neuronal transmission, vascular tone, inflammation and oxygen sensing. H2S and H(2)S(n)diffuse to the target proteins for S-sulfurating their cysteine residues that induces the conformational changes to alter the activity. On the other hand, 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase transfers sulfur from a substrate 3-mercaptopyruvate to the cysteine residues of acceptor proteins. A similar mechanism has also been identified in S-nitrosylation. S-sulfuration and S-nitrosylation by enzymes proceed only inside the cell, while reactions induced by H2S, H(2)S(n)and NO even extend to the surrounding cells. Disturbance of signalling by these molecules as well as S-sulfuration and S-nitrosylation causes many nervous system diseases. This review focuses on the signalling by H2S and H(2)S(n)with S-sulfuration comparing to that of NO with S-nitrosylation and discusses on their roles in physiology and pathophysiology.