Spring Break
Hydrogen sulfide gas has signaling role
Small molecule regulates blood pressure, joins growing class of gases with biological function
Issue date: 11/13/08
This paper presents several interesting new ideas: first, that CSE is the enzyme responsible for making H2S in the body, and second, that H2S contributes to relaxing blood vessels.
"There was no [previous] evidence that H2S is normally produced by our bodies - other than intestinal bacteria that generate the H2S," Snyder said. "H2S is now established as a major regulator of blood vessels and blood pressure."
Hydrogen sulfide joins a small but growing group of gaseous regulatory molecules known as gasotransmitters. Nitric oxide and carbon monoxide are also members of this group.
All three gases have important functions. Nitric oxide has previously been shown to relax blood vessels, but it is suspected that it plays a different role from H2S. Carbon monoxide is a neurotransmitter and also relaxes blood vessels.
Snyder was the first scientist to demonstrate that nitric oxide gas can also act as a neurotransmitter between cells in the brain. This pioneering work has directly inspired the search for other small gas molecules that can influence or regulate biological systems.
The scientists hope to expand their discoveries to find new treatments for hypertension, arteriosclerosis and other cardiovascular illnesses. They also discovered that CSE is not the enzyme that makes H2S in the brain and are working on finding that enzyme.
Meanwhile, if studying for midterms is stressing you out, maybe you have another justification for a Chipotle break. Go lower your blood pressure.
"There was no [previous] evidence that H2S is normally produced by our bodies - other than intestinal bacteria that generate the H2S," Snyder said. "H2S is now established as a major regulator of blood vessels and blood pressure."
Hydrogen sulfide joins a small but growing group of gaseous regulatory molecules known as gasotransmitters. Nitric oxide and carbon monoxide are also members of this group.
All three gases have important functions. Nitric oxide has previously been shown to relax blood vessels, but it is suspected that it plays a different role from H2S. Carbon monoxide is a neurotransmitter and also relaxes blood vessels.
Snyder was the first scientist to demonstrate that nitric oxide gas can also act as a neurotransmitter between cells in the brain. This pioneering work has directly inspired the search for other small gas molecules that can influence or regulate biological systems.
The scientists hope to expand their discoveries to find new treatments for hypertension, arteriosclerosis and other cardiovascular illnesses. They also discovered that CSE is not the enzyme that makes H2S in the brain and are working on finding that enzyme.
Meanwhile, if studying for midterms is stressing you out, maybe you have another justification for a Chipotle break. Go lower your blood pressure.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Nancy Johnson
posted 3/09/09 @ 2:47 AM EST
I thank you for the opportunity to share a portion of my moments in time with future generations.
Tomer Mollenhauer
posted 4/08/09 @ 1:04 AM EST
I like articles like this. Great Article! Thanks!
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