Geroprotective potential of genetic and pharmacological interventions to endogenous hydrogen sulfide synthesis in Drosophila melanogaster.

Endogenous hydrogen sulfide (HS) is a gasotransmitter with a wide range of physiological functions. Aging is accompanied by disruption of HS homeostasis, therefore, interventions to the processes of HS metabolism to maintain its balance may have geroprotective potential. Here we demonstrated the additive geroprotective effect of combined genetic and pharmacological interventions to the hydrogen sulfide biosynthesis system by overexpression of cystathionine-β-synthase and cystathionine-γ-lyase genes and treatment with precursors of HS synthesis cysteine (Cys) and N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC). The obtained results suggest that additive effects of genetic and pharmacological interventions to HS metabolism may be associated with the complex interaction between beneficial action of HS production and prevention of adverse effects of excess HS production by Cys and NAC treatment.