Cystathionine β Synthase/Hydrogen Sulfide Signaling in Multiple Myeloma Regulates Cell Proliferation and Apoptosis

Objective-To investigate cystathionine β synthase (CBS)/hydrogen sulfide (H2S) signaling in multiple myeloma (MM) patients and to identify its effect on the proliferation of U266 cells. Methods-Bone marrow samples of 19 MM patients and 23 healthy donors were collected. qRT-PCR was performed to measure the mRNA expression levels of H2S synthases, cystathionine β synthase, and cystathionine γ lyase. ELISA assays quantified the amount of H2S produced by the two enzymes CBS and CSE. CCK-8 experiment was used to investigate the influence of the CBS inhibitor amino oxyacetic acid and the CSE inhibitor propargylglycine on the proliferation of U266 cells. Flow cytometry and western blotting were performed to determine the effects of AOAA, PAG, and NaHS on cell cycle distribution as well as Caspase-3 and Bcl-2 expression. Results-Patients with MM had higher level of CBS compared with healthy donors. AOAA significantly inhibited cell proliferation in both a time and concentration dependent characteristic, whereas PAG does not. After 24 hours of treatment, AOAA significantly elevated the G0/G1 phase proportion of cells, and reduced the cell distribution in both S and G2/M phases, while NaHS accelerated cell cycle progression by reducing the relative number of cells in G0/G1 phase and increasing the proportion of cells in the G2/M phase. Moreover, AOAA abolished the impact of NaHS on cell cycle progression of U266 cells. AOAA treatment also led to a significant decrease in Bcl-2 expression and dramatic increase in Caspase-3 expression, though NaHS reversed these effects. Conclusion-CBS/H2S system might have a certain effect on the proliferation and apoptosis of MM cells.