Significance of hydrogen sulfide production in the pancreatic β-cell

Hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S) is an important signaling molecule in various mammalian cells and tissues. H(2)S is synthesized from L-cysteine and regulates several cellular and physiological phenomena (vasorelaxation, hormone secretion, and apoptosis) and multicellular events (neuromodulation and inflammatory responses). H(2)S can be produced in pancreatic β-cells by cystathionine β-synthase (CBS) or cystathionine γ-lyase (CSE). H(2)S 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(2)S 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(2)S production and its protective effects on β-cells may lead to new insights into diabetes mellitus.