Posttranslational modifications triggered by H2S in plant cells

Abstract

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a gasotransmitter whose effects are well described in plants. It is produced enzymatically in plant cells in response to different endogenous and exogenous stimuli. In the biological targets, the mechanism of action is only beginning to be studied. Currently, there are three main mechanisms of action proposed but persulfidation of cysteine residues of target proteins is the most accepted and therefore the most studied. Persulfidation is a redox-posttranslational modification (redox-PTM) where an oxidized thiol is persulfidated by H2S. This modification may cause enzyme activation/inhibition and localization changes of proteins. In this chapter, we review the literature available to date regarding the mechanisms of action described for H2S.