AUTHOR=Shibuya Norihiro , Kimura Hideo 

TITLE=Production of Hydrogen Sulfide from D-Cysteine and Its Therapeutic Potential

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Endocrinology

VOLUME=4

YEAR=2013

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/endocrinology/articles/10.3389/fendo.2013.00087

DOI=10.3389/fendo.2013.00087

ISSN=1664-2392

ABSTRACT=<p>Accumulating evidence shows that H<sub>2</sub>S has physiological functions in various tissues and organs. It includes regulation of neuronal activity, vascular tension, a release of insulin, and protection of the heart, kidney, and brain from ischemic insult. H<sub>2</sub>S is produced by enzymes from <sc>l</sc>-cysteine; cystathionine β-synthase, cystathionine γ-lyase, and 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase (3MST) along with cysteine aminotransferase. We recently discovered an additional pathway for the production of H<sub>2</sub>S from <sc>d</sc>-cysteine. <sc>d</sc>-Amino acid oxidase provides 3-mercaptopyruvate for 3MST to produce H<sub>2</sub>S. <sc>d</sc>-Cysteine protects cerebellar neurons from oxidative stress and attenuates ischemia-reperfusion injury caused in the kidney more effectively than <sc>l</sc>-cysteine. This review focuses on a novel pathway for the production of H<sub>2</sub>S and its therapeutic application especially to the renal diseases.</p>