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Sulfur reduction by human erythrocytes

D G Searcy1, S H Lee

  • 1Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst 01003-5810, USA. dsearcy@bio.umass.edu

The Journal of Experimental Zoology
|October 2, 1998
PubMed
Summary

Human red blood cells produce hydrogen sulfide (H2S) from sulfur compounds, with glucose as a primary fuel. This process occurs even with oxygen present, suggesting a potential role for H2S in cellular respiration.

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Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Cell Biology
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is increasingly recognized for its physiological roles beyond being a toxic gas.
  • Erythrocytes, or red blood cells, are primarily known for oxygen transport but possess metabolic capabilities.
  • Sulfur metabolism in eukaryotic cells is not fully elucidated.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the production of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) by human erythrocytes.
  • To identify substrates and conditions supporting H2S generation in red blood cells.
  • To explore potential physiological implications and evolutionary links of H2S production.

Main Methods:

  • Incubation of washed human erythrocytes with various substrates (glucose, lactate, glycerol) and elemental sulfur (S8) under both anaerobic (N2 purged) and aerobic conditions.
  • Measurement of H2S production rates and accumulation.
  • Analysis of H2S production in cell lysates with cofactors like glutathione, NADH, and NADPH.

Main Results:

  • Erythrocytes produced H2S at a consistent rate (170 µmol (L cells)⁻¹ min⁻¹) when incubated with glucose and S8, accumulating up to 25 mM HS⁻.
  • Glucose was the most effective substrate, but lactate and glycerol also supported H2S production.
  • H2S production occurred under both anaerobic and aerobic conditions, with the latter showing 80% of the anoxic rate.
  • Endogenous reducible sulfur was detected, supporting low-level anoxic H2S production without added S8.
  • Cell lysates produced H2S upon addition of glutathione, NADH, or NADPH.

Conclusions:

  • Human erythrocytes actively produce hydrogen sulfide (H2S) from various substrates, notably glucose.
  • H2S production by erythrocytes is not strictly dependent on anaerobic conditions and can occur aerobically.
  • The findings suggest H2S may function as an electron carrier and hint at evolutionary connections between eukaryotic cells and sulfur-reducing Archaea.

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