Antioxidative and anti-inflammatory actions of reactive cysteine persulfides

Cysteine persulfide (CysSSH) and polysulfides (CysS[S](n)H, n>1) are cysteine derivatives having sulfane sulfur atoms bound to cysteine thiol. Recent advances in the development of analytical methods for detection and quantification of persulfides and polysulfides have revealed the biological presence, in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes, of persulfide/polysulfide in diverse forms such as CysSSH, glutathione persulfide and protein persulfides. Accumulating evidence has suggested that persulfide/polysulfide species may involve in a variety of biological events such as biosyntheses of sulfur-containing molecules, tRNA modification, regulation of redox-dependent signal transduction, mitochondrial energy metabolism via sulfur respiration, cytoprotection from oxidative stress via their antioxidant activities, and anti-inflammation against Toll-like receptor-mediated inflammatory responses. Development of chemical sulfur donors may facilitate further understanding of physiological and pathophysiological roles of persulfide/polysulfide species, including regulatory roles of these species in immune responses.

Automated summary

Cysteine persulfide and polysulfides, sulfur-containing derivatives of cysteine, play diverse roles in biological processes including biosynthesis, signal transduction regulation, and cellular redox balance maintenance, suggesting their potential therapeutic implications in immune responses and oxidative stress protection.