Concordant changes in gene expression and nucleotides underlie independent adaptation to hydrogen-sulfide-rich environments

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a natural toxicant in some aquatic environments that has diverse molecular targets. It binds to oxygen transport proteins, rendering them non-functional by reducing oxygen-binding affinity. Hence, organisms permanently inhabiting H2S-rich environments are predicted to exhibit adaptive modifications to compensate for the reduced capacity to transport oxygen. We investigated 10 lineages of fish of the family Poeciliidae that have colonized freshwater springs rich in H2S—along with related lineages from non-sulfidic environments—to test hypotheses about the expression and evolution of oxygen transport genes in a phylogenetic context. We predicted shifts in the expression of and signatures of positive selection on oxygen transport genes upon colonization of H2S-rich habitats. Our analyses indicated significant shifts in gene expression for multiple hemoglobin genes in lineages that have colonized H2S-rich environments, and three hemoglobin genes exhibited relaxed selection in sulfidic compared to non-sulfidic lineages. However, neither changes in gene expression nor signatures of selection were consistent among all lineages in H2S-rich environments. Oxygen transport genes may consequently be predictable targets of selection during adaptation to sulfidic environments, but changes in gene expression and molecular evolution of oxygen transport genes in H2S-rich environments are not necessarily repeatable across replicated lineages.

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Hydrogen Sulfide Alleviates Senescence of Fresh-cut Apple by Regulating Antioxidant Defense System and Senescence-related Gene Expression

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.51.2.152 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 51 (2) ◽

pp. 152-158 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

Ji-Lian Zheng ◽

Lan-Ying Hu ◽

Kang-Di Hu ◽

Jun Wu ◽

Feng Yang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Hydrogen Sulfide ◽

Antioxidant Defense System ◽

Guaiacol Peroxidase ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Related Gene ◽

Apple Slices ◽

Apple Tissue ◽

Fresh Cut ◽

Postharvest Senescence

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) has been identified as a multifunctional signaling molecule in plants. Here, we show that H2S delayed postharvest senescence of fresh-cut apples (Malus ×pumila) in a dose-dependent manner. Exogenous H2S application maintained significantly higher levels of ascorbic acid, flavonoids, total phenolics, reducing sugars and soluble proteins, and lower levels of free amino acids in apple slices compared with controls. Further investigations showed that H2S significantly reduced the accumulation of superoxide radicals, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and malondialdehyde (MDA). Apple fruits fumigated with H2S contained significantly higher activities of ascorbate peroxidase (APX), catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GR), guaiacol peroxidase (POD) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), and lower activities of lipoxygenase (LOX), phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), polyphenol oxidase (PPO), and protease relative to controls. H2S also upregulated MdDHAR expression and downregulated the expression of MdLOX2, MdPG1, MdPPO, MdACO1, MdERS1, and MdETR1 in postharvest apple tissue. The present study indicates that H2S was involved in delaying postharvest senescence of apples by acting as an antioxidant and by regulating senescence-related gene expression.

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The tongue biofilm metatranscriptome identifies metabolic pathways associated with halitosis and its prevention

10.1101/2021.11.09.21266067 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Miguel Carda-Dieguez ◽

Bob T. Rosier ◽

Sandra Lloret ◽

Carmen Llena ◽

Alex Mira

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Hydrogen Sulfide ◽

Expression Profiles ◽

Gene Expression Profiles ◽

Fusobacterium Nucleatum ◽

Sulfide Concentration ◽

Methyl Mercaptan ◽

Over Expression ◽

Expression Of Genes ◽

Taxonomic Studies

Halitosis is an oral condition caused by an increase in the concentration of volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs), such as methyl mercaptan and hydrogen sulfide, generated as a consequence of bacterial metabolism on the tongue biofilm. Microbial communities on the tongue of halitosis patients have been studied by bacterial culture, 16S rRNA taxonomic studies and metagenomics. However, there are currently no reports on the microbial gene-expression profiles. In this study, we performed RNAseq of tongue coating samples from control individuals and halitosis patients with different levels and composition of VSCs, as determined by gas chromatography. In this metatranscriptomic study, the activity of Streptococcus, Veillonella and Rothia species was associated with halitosis-free individuals while Prevotella, Fusobacterium and Leptotrichia species were associated with halitosis. Although methyl mercaptan is considered an indicator of halitosis, the metatranscriptome of patients in which only this VSC was present in elevated levels was similar to that of halitosis-free individuals. Veillonella dispar, Streptococcus parasanguinis and Rothia mucilaginosa were over-represented in halitosis-free communities in comparison to the rest of the groups, suggesting that these species could be used as a halitosis-free biomarkers. In contrast, the abundance of Prevotella shahi and Fusobacterium nucleatum were significantly higher when hydrogen sulfide concentration was over the established halitosis-threshold, making these species putative halitosis biomarkers. Finally, gene expression profiles showed a significant over-expression of genes involved in L-cysteine and L-homocysteine synthesis in halitosis-free individuals and an over-expression of genes responsible for cysteine degradation into hydrogen sulfide in halitosis patients. In addition, nitrate reduction into nitrite was also over-expressed in halitosis-free patients. In conclusion, halitosis was associated with communities that degrade amino acids and reduce sulfide, whereas tongue communities that produce L-cysteine from hydrogen sulfide and that reduce nitrate were associated with the absence of halitosis. The latter could provide new strategies to treat this condition.

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Pharmacologic preconditioning with hydrogen sulfide protects against ischemia-reperfusion injury via modulation of pro- and anti-apoptotic gene expression

Journal of the American College of Surgeons ◽

10.1016/j.jamcollsurg.2011.06.132 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 213 (3) ◽

pp. S59-S60

Author(s):

Natalia Jimenez ◽

Alyssa J. Reiffel ◽

Yoann H. Millet ◽

Jason A. Spector

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Hydrogen Sulfide ◽

Reperfusion Injury ◽

Ischemia Reperfusion Injury ◽

Ischemia Reperfusion ◽

Apoptotic Gene

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Crosstalk between Hydrogen Sulfide and Other Signal Molecules Regulates Plant Growth and Development

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms21134593 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 21 (13) ◽

pp. 4593 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Lijuan Xuan ◽

Jian Li ◽

Xinyu Wang ◽

Chongying Wang

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Hydrogen Sulfide ◽

Plant Growth ◽

Growth And Development ◽

Cellular Localization ◽

Signal Molecules ◽

Stomatal Movement ◽

Post Translational Modification ◽

Plant Growth And Development ◽

The Third

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S), once recognized only as a poisonous gas, is now considered the third endogenous gaseous transmitter, along with nitric oxide (NO) and carbon monoxide (CO). Multiple lines of emerging evidence suggest that H2S plays positive roles in plant growth and development when at appropriate concentrations, including seed germination, root development, photosynthesis, stomatal movement, and organ abscission under both normal and stress conditions. H2S influences these processes by altering gene expression and enzyme activities, as well as regulating the contents of some secondary metabolites. In its regulatory roles, H2S always interacts with either plant hormones, other gasotransmitters, or ionic signals, such as abscisic acid (ABA), ethylene, auxin, CO, NO, and Ca2+. Remarkably, H2S also contributes to the post-translational modification of proteins to affect protein activities, structures, and sub-cellular localization. Here, we review the functions of H2S at different stages of plant development, focusing on the S-sulfhydration of proteins mediated by H2S and the crosstalk between H2S and other signaling molecules.

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Transcriptome Analysis Reveals the Gene Expression Changes in the Silkworm (Bombyx mori) in Response to Hydrogen Sulfide Exposure

Insects ◽

10.3390/insects12121110 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (12) ◽

pp. 1110

Author(s):

Rui Zhang ◽

Yu-Yao Cao ◽

Juan Du ◽

Kiran Thakur ◽

Shun-Ming Tang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Hydrogen Sulfide ◽

Transcriptome Analysis ◽

Fat Body ◽

Tca Cycle ◽

Transcriptional Level ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Transport Pathway ◽

Shell Weight ◽

Study Gene Expression

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) has been recognized for its beneficial influence on physiological alterations. The development (body weight) and economic characteristics (cocoon weight, cocoon shell ratio, and cocoon shell weight) of silkworms were increased after continuous 7.5 µM H2S treatment. In the present study, gene expression changes in the fat body of silkworms at the 5th instar larvae in response to the H2S were investigated through comparative transcriptome analysis. Moreover, the expression pattern of significant differentially expressed genes (DEGs) at the 5th instar larvae was confirmed by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) after H2S exposure. A total of 1200 (DEGs) was identified, of which 977 DEGs were up-regulated and 223 DEGs were down-regulated. Most of the DEGs were involved in the transport pathway, cellular community, carbohydrate metabolism, and immune-associated signal transduction. The up regulated genes under H2S exposure were involved in endocytosis, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, the citrate cycle (TCA cycle), and the synthesis of fibroin, while genes related to inflammation were down-regulated, indicating that H2S could promote energy metabolism, the transport pathway, silk synthesis, and inhibit inflammation in the silkworm. In addition, the expression levels of these genes were increased or decreased in a time-dependent manner during the 5th instar larvae. These results provided insight into the effects of H2S on silkworms at the transcriptional level and a substantial foundation for understanding H2S function.

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Delaying Broccoli Floret Yellowing by Phytosulfokine α Application During Cold Storage

Frontiers in Nutrition ◽

10.3389/fnut.2021.609217 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

Author(s):

Morteza Soleimani Aghdam ◽

Majid Alikhani-Koupaei ◽

Raheleh Khademian

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Hydrogen Sulfide ◽

Nutritional Value ◽

Acc Oxidase ◽

Acc Synthase ◽

Ethylene Biosynthesis ◽

Pheophorbide A ◽

Postharvest Life ◽

Cysteine Desulfhydrase ◽

Pheophorbide A Oxygenase

During postharvest life, broccoli suffers from floret yellowing confining its economic and nutritional value. The objective of the present study was to explore the mechanisms employed by phytosulfokine α (PSKα) at 150 nM for delaying floret yellowing in broccoli during storage at 4°C for 28 days. Our results showed that the higher endogenous accumulation of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) resulting from the higher gene expression and activities of l-cysteine desulfhydrase (LCD) and d-cysteine desulfhydrase (DCD) in broccoli floret treated with 150 nM PSKα may serve as an endogenous signaling molecule for delaying senescence. Moreover, the suppressed ethylene biosynthesis in broccoli floret treated with 150 nM PSKα might be ascribed to lower gene expression and activities of ACC synthase (ACS) and ACC oxidase (ACO). Furthermore, lower gene expression and activities of Mg2+ dechelatase (MDC), pheophytinase (PPH), and pheophorbide a oxygenase (PaO) might be the reasons for the higher accumulation of chlorophyll in broccoli floret treated with 150 nM PSKα. Based on our findings, exogenous PSKα application could be employed as signaling bioactive hormone for retarding floret yellowing of broccoli during storage at 4°C for 28 days.

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Altered gene expression of hydrogen sulfide‐producing enzymes in the liver and muscles tissues of hyperthyroid rats

Journal of Cellular Physiology ◽

10.1002/jcp.28426 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 234 (10) ◽

pp. 17937-17945

Author(s):

Sajad Jeddi ◽

Hanieh Gholami ◽

Sevda Gheibi ◽

Khosrow Kashfi ◽

Asghar Ghasemi

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Hydrogen Sulfide ◽

Altered Gene Expression ◽

Altered Gene

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Human METTL7B Encodes an Alkyl Thiol Methyltransferase that Methylates Hydrogen Sulfide

10.1101/2020.03.06.979542 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Benjamin J. Maldonato ◽

Rheem A. Totah

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Hydrogen Sulfide ◽

Growth Cycle ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Concentration Dependent Manner ◽

Thiol Compounds ◽

Disease States ◽

Catalytic Function ◽

Thiol Methyltransferase ◽

First Time

Summary Paragraph/AbstractMethyltransferase-like protein 7B (METTL7B) is implicated in tumor growth and progression while gene expression is upregulated in several different disease states such as rheumatoid arthritis and breast cancer. Yet, the catalytic function of METTL7B has not been characterized. Here we demonstrate that METTL7B encodes a protein that catalyzes the transfer of a methyl group from S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM) to hydrogen sulfide (H2S) to form methanethiol (CH3SH). Several exogenous aliphatic thiols were also identified as substrates. Modulation of METTL7B gene expression in HepG2 and HeLa cell culture directly alters the methylation of captopril, a marker reaction of alkyl thiol methyltransferase (TMT) activity(1, 2). Furthermore, cloned and recombinantly expressed and purified METTL7B full length protein methylates several thiol compounds, including hydrogen sulfide, 7α-thiospironolactone, captopril, and L-penicillamine in a concentration dependent manner. Endogenous thiols such as glutathione and cysteine or classic probe substrates of other known small molecule S-, N-, and O- methyltransferases were not substrates for METTL7B. Our results unequivocally demonstrate, and for the first time, that METTL7B, a protein implicated in several disease states, is an alkyl thiol methyltransferase(3–5). Identifying the catalytic function of METTL7B will enable future pharmacological research in disease pathophysiology where METTL7B expression and H2S levels can potentially alter the redox state and growth cycle of cells.

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Role of Hydrogen Sulfide in Paramyxovirus Infections

Journal of Virology ◽

10.1128/jvi.00264-15 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 89 (10) ◽

pp. 5557-5568 ◽

Cited By ~ 28

Author(s):

Hui Li ◽

Yinghong Ma ◽

Oliver Escaffre ◽

Teodora Ivanciuc ◽

Narayana Komaravelli ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Hydrogen Sulfide ◽

Viral Replication ◽

Effective Treatment ◽

Health Concern ◽

Economic Losses ◽

Chemokine Production ◽

Proinflammatory Gene ◽

Tract Infections ◽

Proinflammatory Gene Expression

ABSTRACTHydrogen sulfide (H2S) is an endogenous gaseous mediator that has gained increasing recognition as an important player in modulating acute and chronic inflammatory diseases. However, its role in virus-induced lung inflammation is currently unknown. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of upper and lower respiratory tract infections in children for which no vaccine or effective treatment is available. Using the slow-releasing H2S donor GYY4137 and propargylglycin (PAG), an inhibitor of cystathionine-γ-lyase (CSE), a key enzyme that produces intracellular H2S, we found that RSV infection led to a reduced ability to generate and maintain intracellular H2S levels in airway epithelial cells (AECs). Inhibition of CSE with PAG resulted in increased viral replication and chemokine secretion. On the other hand, treatment of AECs with the H2S donor GYY4137 reduced proinflammatory mediator production and significantly reduced viral replication, even when administered several hours after viral absorption. GYY4137 also significantly reduced replication and inflammatory chemokine production induced by human metapneumovirus (hMPV) and Nipah virus (NiV), suggesting a broad inhibitory effect of H2S on paramyxovirus infections. GYY4137 treatment had no effect on RSV genome replication or viral mRNA and protein synthesis, but it inhibited syncytium formation and virus assembly/release. GYY4137 inhibition of proinflammatory gene expression occurred by modulation of the activation of the key transcription factors nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) and interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF-3) at a step subsequent to their nuclear translocation. H2S antiviral and immunoregulatory properties could represent a novel treatment strategy for paramyxovirus infections.IMPORTANCERSV is a global health concern, causing significant morbidity and economic losses as well as mortality in developing countries. After decades of intensive research, no vaccine or effective treatment, with the exception of immunoprophylaxis, is available for this infection as well as for other important respiratory mucosal viruses. This study identifies hydrogen sulfide as a novel cellular mediator that can modulate viral replication and proinflammatory gene expression, both important determinants of lung injury in respiratory viral infections, with potential for rapid translation of such findings into novel therapeutic approaches for viral bronchiolitis and pneumonia.

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