Enhancing cellular sulfane sulfur through β-glycosidase-activated persulfide donors: mechanistic insights and oxidative stress mitigation

Sulfane sulfur species such as persulfides and polysulfides along with hydrogen sulfide protect cells from oxidative stress and are key members of the cellular antioxidant pool. Here, we report perthiocarbamate-based prodrugs that are cleaved by beta-glycosidases to produce persulfide and relatively innocuous byproducts. The beta-glucosidase-activated persulfide donor enhances cellular sulfane sulfur and protects cells against lethality induced by elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS).

Automated summary

Sulfane sulfur species and hydrogen sulfide play a protective role against oxidative stress in cells and are important antioxidants in cellular antioxidant pool. A study introduces perthiocarbamate-based prodrugs that can be cleaved by beta-glycosidases to produce persulfide and harmless byproducts. The persulfide donor activated by beta-glucosidase enhances cellular sulfane sulfur levels and provides protection against cell death induced by elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS).