Significance of hydrogen sulfide production in the pancreatic β-cell

Hydrogen sulfide (h 2s) is an important signaling molecule in various mammalian cells and tissues. h 2s is synthesized from l-cysteine and regulates several cellular and physiological phenomena (vasorelaxation,hormone secretion,and apoptosis) and multicellular events (neuro modulation and inflammatory responses). h 2s can be produced in pancreatic β-cells by cystathionine β-synthase (cbs) or cystathionine γ-lyase (cse). h 2s inhibits insulin release and regulates β-cell survival. we found that glucose stimulation increased cse expression at transcript and protein levels in mouse pancreatic islets. we also found that h 2s protects β-cells that were chronically exposed to high glucose from apoptotic cell death. loss of β-cell mass and failures of β-cell function are important in the pathogenesis and/or progression of diabetes mellitus; therefore,molecular analyses of the mechanisms of h 2s production and its protective effects on β-cells may lead to new insights into diabetes mellitus. © the japanese pharmacological society.