Enzymology
Acidity and nucleophilic reactivity of glutathione persulfide
Persulfides (RSSH/RSS−) participate in sulfur trafficking and metabolic processes, and are proposed to mediate the signaling effects of hydrogen sulfide (H2S). Despite their growing relevance, their chemical properties are poorly understood. Herein, we studied experimentally and computationally the formation, acidity, and nucleophilicity of glutathione persulfide (GSSH/GSS−), the derivative of the abundant cellular thiol glutathione (GSH). We characterized the kinetics and equilibrium of GSSH formation from glutathione disulfide and H2S.Kinetics of formation and reactivity of the persulfide in the one-cysteine peroxiredoxin from Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) participates in prokaryotic metabolism and is associated with several physiological functions in mammals. H2S reacts with oxidized thiol derivatives (i.e. disulfides and sulfenic acids) and thereby forms persulfides, which are plausible transducers of the H2S-mediated signaling effects. The one-cysteine peroxiredoxin alkyl hydroperoxide reductase E from Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MtAhpE–SH) reacts fast with hydroperoxides, forming a stable sulfenic acid (MtAhpE–SOH), which we chose here as a model to study the interactions between H2S and peroxiredoxins (Prx).Reaction of Hydrogen Sulfide with Disulfide and Sulfenic Acid to Form the Strongly Nucleophilic Persulfide
Background: Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) modulates physiological processes in mammals.Results: The reactivity of H2S toward disulfides (RSSR) and albumin sulfenic acid (RSOH) to form persulfides (RSSH) was assessed.Conclusion: H2S is less reactive than thiols. Persulfides have enhanced nucleophilicity.Significance: This kinetic study helps rationalize the contribution of the reactions with oxidized thiol derivatives to H2S biology.
