Geroprotective potential of genetic and pharmacological interventions to endogenous hydrogen sulfide synthesis in Drosophila melanogaster.

ABSTRACT

Endogenous hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a gasotransmitter with a wide range of physiological functions. Aging is accompanied by disruption of H2S homeostasis, therefore, interventions to the processes of H2S metabolism to maintain its balance may have geroprotective potential. Here we demonstrated the additive geroprotective effect of combined genetic and pharmacological interventions to the hydrogen sulfide biosynthesis system by overexpression of cystathionine-ß-synthase and cystathionine-γ-lyase genes and treatment with precursors of H2S synthesis cysteine (Cys) and N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC). The obtained results suggest that additive effects of genetic and pharmacological interventions to H2S metabolism may be associated with the complex interaction between beneficial action of H2S production and prevention of adverse effects of excess H2S production by Cys and NAC treatment.