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Schilling D, Ditrói T, Barayeu U, Jurányi EP, Nagy P, Dick TP. The influence of alkylating agents on sulfur-sulfur bonds in per- and polysulfides. Curr Opin Chem Biol 2023; 76:102368. [PMID: 37473483 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2023.102368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 06/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polysulfides are sulfane sulfur species produced inside living cells, in organisms as diverse as bacteria, plants and humans, but their biological roles remain to be fully understood. Unfortunately, due to their reactivity, per- and polysulfides are easily altered, interconverted or lost during the processing and analysis of biological material. Thus, all current analytical methods make use of alkylating agents, to quench reactivity of hydropersulfides and hydropolysulfides and also to prevent free thiols from attacking sulfur chains in hydropolysulfides and dialkyl polysulfides. However, recent findings reveal that alkylating agents can also destroy per- and polysulfides, to varying degrees, depending on the choice of alkylating agent. Here, we discuss the challenges associated with the alkylation of per- and polysulfides, the single most important step for their preservation and detection in biological samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danny Schilling
- Division of Redox Regulation, DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany; Faculty of Biosciences, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Tamás Ditrói
- Department of Molecular Immunology and Toxicology and the National Tumor Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Oncology, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Uladzimir Barayeu
- Division of Redox Regulation, DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany; Faculty of Biosciences, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Eszter Petra Jurányi
- Department of Molecular Immunology and Toxicology and the National Tumor Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Oncology, Budapest, Hungary; Doctoral School of Molecular Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Peter Nagy
- Department of Molecular Immunology and Toxicology and the National Tumor Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Oncology, Budapest, Hungary; Department of Anatomy and Histology, ELKH-ÁTE Laboratory of Redox Biology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary; Chemistry Institute, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary.
| | - Tobias P Dick
- Division of Redox Regulation, DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany; Faculty of Biosciences, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany.
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Wu Z, Barayeu U, Schilling D, Dick TP, Pratt DA. Emergence of (hydro)persulfides as suppressors of lipid peroxidation and ferroptotic cell death. Curr Opin Chem Biol 2023; 76:102353. [PMID: 37356334 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2023.102353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/27/2023]
Abstract
Recognition of the prevalence of hydropersulfides (RSSH) and characterization of their enhanced two-electron reactivity relative to thiols have led to their implication in maintaining cellular redox homeostasis, in addition to other potential roles. Recent attention on the one-electron reactivity of RSSH has uncovered their potent radical-trapping antioxidant activity, which enables them to inhibit phospholipid peroxidation and associated cell death by ferroptosis. Herein, we briefly review key aspects of the reactivity and underlying physicochemical properties of RSSH. We emphasize their reactivity to radicals-particularly lipid peroxyl radicals that propagate the lipid peroxidation chain reaction-and the recent recognition that this results in ferroptosis suppression. We highlight open questions related to recent developments in this area and, given that all living organisms possess the ability to synthesize persulfides endogenously, suggest they may be primordial radical scavengers that occurred early in evolution and still play a role today.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zijun Wu
- Department of Chemistry & Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Uladzimir Barayeu
- Division of Redox Regulation, DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany; Faculty of Biosciences, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Danny Schilling
- Division of Redox Regulation, DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany; Faculty of Biosciences, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Tobias P Dick
- Division of Redox Regulation, DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany; Faculty of Biosciences, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Derek A Pratt
- Department of Chemistry & Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada.
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Pharoah BM, Zhang C, Khodade VS, Keceli G, McGinity C, Paolocci N, Toscano JP. Hydropersulfides (RSSH) attenuate doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity while boosting its anticancer action. Redox Biol 2023; 60:102625. [PMID: 36773545 PMCID: PMC9929489 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2023.102625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Cardiotoxicity is a frequent and often lethal complication of doxorubicin (DOX)-based chemotherapy. Here, we report that hydropersulfides (RSSH) are the most effective reactive sulfur species in conferring protection against DOX-induced toxicity in H9c2 cardiac cells. Mechanistically, RSSH supplementation alleviates the DOX-evoked surge in reactive oxygen species (ROS), activating nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)-dependent pathways, thus boosting endogenous antioxidant defenses. Simultaneously, RSSH turns on peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC-1α), a master regulator of mitochondrial function, while decreasing caspase-3 activity to inhibit apoptosis. Of note, we find that RSSH potentiate anticancer DOX effects in three different cancer cell lines, with evidence that suggests this occurs via induction of reductive stress. Indeed, cancer cells already exhibit much higher basal hydrogen sulfide (H2S), sulfane sulfur, and reducing equivalents compared to cardiac cells. Thus, RSSH may represent a new promising avenue to fend off DOX-induced cardiotoxicity while boosting its anticancer effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blaze M Pharoah
- Department of Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, United States
| | - Chengximeng Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, United States
| | - Vinayak S Khodade
- Department of Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, United States
| | - Gizem Keceli
- Division of Cardiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, United States
| | - Christopher McGinity
- Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, United States
| | - Nazareno Paolocci
- Division of Cardiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, United States; Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
| | - John P Toscano
- Department of Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, United States.
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Switzer CH, Fukuto JM. The antioxidant and oxidant properties of hydropersulfides (RSSH) and polysulfide species. Redox Biol 2022; 57:102486. [PMID: 36201912 PMCID: PMC9535303 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2022.102486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Revised: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
It has become apparent that hydrogen sulfide (H2S), hydropersulfides (RSSH) and other polysulfide species are all intimately linked biochemically. Indeed, at least some of the biological activity attributed to hydrogen sulfide (H2S) may actually be due to its conversion to RSSH and derived polysulfur species (and vice-versa). The unique chemistry associated with the hydropersulfide functional group (-SSH) predicts that it possesses possible protective properties that can help a cell contend with oxidative and/or electrophilic stress. However, since RSSH and polysulfides possess chemical properties akin to disulfides (RSSR), they can also be sources of oxidative/electrophilic stress/signaling as well. Herein are discussed the unique chemistry, possible biochemistry and the physiological implications of RSSH (and polysulfides), especially as it pertains to their putative cellular protection properties against a variety of stresses and/or as possible stressors/signaling agents themselves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher H Switzer
- William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Jon M Fukuto
- Department of Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA; Department of Chemistry, Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park, CA, 94928, USA.
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Bianco CL, Chavez TA, Sosa V, Saund SS, Nguyen QNN, Tantillo DJ, Ichimura AS, Toscano JP, Fukuto JM. The chemical biology of the persulfide (RSSH)/perthiyl (RSS·) redox couple and possible role in biological redox signaling. Free Radic Biol Med 2016; 101:20-31. [PMID: 27677567 PMCID: PMC5154930 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2016.09.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2016] [Revised: 09/20/2016] [Accepted: 09/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The recent finding that hydropersulfides (RSSH) are biologically prevalent in mammalian systems has prompted further investigation of their chemical properties in order to provide a basis for understanding their potential functions, if any. Hydropersulfides have been touted as hyper-reactive thiol-like species that possess increased nucleophilicity and reducing capabilities compared to their thiol counterparts. Herein, using persulfide generating model systems, the ability of RSSH species to act as one-electron reductants has been examined. Not unexpectedly, RSSH is relatively easily oxidized, compared to thiols, by weak oxidants to generate the perthiyl radical (RSS·). Somewhat surprisingly, however, RSS· was found to be stable in the presence of both O2 and NO and only appears to dimerize. Thus, the RSSH/RSS· redox couple is readily accessible under biological conditions and since dimerization of RSS· may be a rare event due to low concentrations and/or sequestration within a protein, it is speculated that the general lack of reactivity of individual RSS· species may allow this couple to be utilized as a redox component in biological systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher L Bianco
- Department of Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, United States
| | - Tyler A Chavez
- Department of Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, United States
| | - Victor Sosa
- Department of Chemistry, Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park, CA 94928, United States
| | - Simran S Saund
- Department of Chemistry, Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park, CA 94928, United States
| | - Q Nhu N Nguyen
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Davis, One Shield Ave., Davis, CA 95616, United States
| | - Dean J Tantillo
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Davis, One Shield Ave., Davis, CA 95616, United States
| | - Andrew S Ichimura
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, San Francisco State University, 1600 Holloway Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94132-4163, United States
| | - John P Toscano
- Department of Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, United States.
| | - Jon M Fukuto
- Department of Chemistry, Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park, CA 94928, United States.
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Millikin R, Bianco CL, White C, Saund SS, Henriquez S, Sosa V, Akaike T, Kumagai Y, Soeda S, Toscano JP, Lin J, Fukuto JM. The chemical biology of protein hydropersulfides: Studies of a possible protective function of biological hydropersulfide generation. Free Radic Biol Med 2016; 97:136-147. [PMID: 27242269 PMCID: PMC4996688 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2016.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2016] [Revised: 05/15/2016] [Accepted: 05/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The recent discovery of significant hydropersulfide (RSSH) levels in mammalian tissues, fluids and cells has led to numerous questions regarding their possible physiological function. Cysteine hydropersulfides have been found in free cysteine, small molecule peptides as well as in proteins. Based on their chemical properties and likely cellular conditions associated with their biosynthesis, it has been proposed that they can serve a protective function. That is, hydropersulfide formation on critical thiols may protect them from irreversible oxidative or electrophilic inactivation. As a prelude to understanding the possible roles and functions of hydropersulfides in biological systems, this study utilizes primarily chemical experiments to delineate the possible mechanistic chemistry associated with cellular protection. Thus, the ability of hydropersulfides to protect against irreversible electrophilic and oxidative modification was examined. The results herein indicate that hydropersulfides are very reactive towards oxidants and electrophiles and are modified readily. However, reduction of these oxidized/modified species is facile generating the corresponding thiol, consistent with the idea that hydropersulfides can serve a protective function for thiol proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Millikin
- Department of Chemistry, Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park, CA 94928, United States
| | - Christopher L Bianco
- Department of Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, United States
| | - Corey White
- Department of Chemistry, Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park, CA 94928, United States
| | - Simran S Saund
- Department of Chemistry, Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park, CA 94928, United States
| | - Stephanie Henriquez
- Department of Biology, Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park, CA 94928, United States
| | - Victor Sosa
- Department of Chemistry, Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park, CA 94928, United States
| | - Takaaki Akaike
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences and Molecular Toxicology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai 980-8575, Japan
| | - Yoshito Kumagai
- Environmental Biology Section, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan
| | - Shuhei Soeda
- Department of Chemistry, Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park, CA 94928, United States
| | - John P Toscano
- Department of Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, United States
| | - Joseph Lin
- Department of Biology, Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park, CA 94928, United States.
| | - Jon M Fukuto
- Department of Chemistry, Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park, CA 94928, United States.
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