HS biosynthesis and catabolism: new insights from molecular studies.

Hydrogen sulfide (HS) has profound biological effects within living organisms and is now increasingly being considered alongside other gaseous signalling molecules, such as nitric oxide (NO) and carbon monoxide (CO). Conventional use of pharmacological and molecular approaches has spawned a rapidly growing research field that has identified HS as playing a functional role in cell-signalling and post-translational modifications. Recently, a number of laboratories have reported the use of siRNA methodologies and genetic mouse models to mimic the loss of function of genes involved in the biosynthesis and degradation of HS within tissues. Studies utilising these systems are revealing new insights into the biology of HS within the cardiovascular system, inflammatory disease, and in cell signalling. In light of this work, the current review will describe recent advances in HS research made possible by the use of molecular approaches and genetic mouse models with perturbed capacities to generate or detoxify physiological levels of HS gas within tissues.