Reactive sulfur species such as persulfides (RSSH) and hydrogen polysulfides (H2Sn) play regulatory roles in redox biology. Modulation of their cellular levels could have potential therapeutic value. However, their exact mechanisms of action are still unclear. A number of fundamental questions concerning the chemistry of these species must be addressed before we can expect a biological understanding or clinical applications. It is vital to understand the reactivity of these species and to appreciate the limitation and errors that may be generated when measuring them in biological samples. In this context, research tools for accurate and convenient detection of these sulfur species are urgently needed. Our lab has recently discovered some unique chemistry and reactions of RSSH and H2Sn. Based on these discoveries, we expect that highly sensitive and specific chemical tools for the study of RSSH and H2Sn can be developed. We also expect these tools will enable us to better understand the biological significance of RSSH and H2Sn. In this application, we plan to pursue three specific aims: 1) to develop new RSSH generation methods and labeling strategies for quantitative proteomics characterization of protein S-sulfhydration, 2) to establish new chemistry and imaging probes for hydrogen polysulfides; 3) to assess the distinctive contribution of reactive sulfur species on protein S-sulfhydration and its implications on stress regulation. The proposed research will allow us to establish novel reagents and protocols for generating specific types of reactive sulfur species, new probes for imaging such species, and optimized quantitative proteomics approaches for effective profiling of protein posttranslational modifications impacted by reactive sulfur species.

Public Health Relevance

The fields of reactive sulfur species (including sulfane sulfurs, hydrogen polysulfides, and protein S-sulfhydration) physiology and pharmacology have been rapidly growing in recent years, but a number of fundamental issues must be addressed to advance our understanding of the biology and clinical potential of these species in the future. In this project, we plan to develop a toolbox of methods/probes for the detection of sulfane sulfurs, hydrogen polysulfides, and protein S-sulfhydration. We will also apply the new methods to understand biological significances of these molecules.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
1R01GM125968-01
Application #
9423310
Study Section
Synthetic and Biological Chemistry A Study Section (SBCA)
Program Officer
Anderson, Vernon
Project Start
2018-01-01
Project End
2021-12-31
Budget Start
2018-01-01
Budget End
2018-12-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2018
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Washington State University
Department
Chemistry
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
041485301
City
Pullman
State
WA
Country
United States
Zip Code
99164
Liu, Chunrong; Park, Chung-Min; Wang, Difei et al. (2018) Phosphite Esters: Reagents for Exploring S-Nitrosothiol Chemistry. Org Lett :
Kang, Jianming; Ferrell, Aaron J; Chen, Wei et al. (2018) Cyclic Acyl Disulfides and Acyl Selenylsulfides as the Precursors for Persulfides (RSSH), Selenylsulfides (RSeSH), and Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S). Org Lett 20:852-855