Dietary restriction has beneficial effects in animal models, such as increased stress resistance and extended longevity; however, the common molecular mechanisms of the nutritional interventions responsible for these effects are unclear. Hine et al. showed that sulphur amino acid restriction increased the expression of cystathionine γ-lyase (CGL) — an enzyme of the trans-sulphuration pathway (TSP) — and increased hydrogen sulphide (H2S) production. Increased H2S levels conferred dietary-restriction-mediated stress resistance in vivo. Furthermore, mTOR activation or CGL inhibition blocked TSP induction and H2S production. Thus, H2S is a molecular mediator of dietary restriction benefits with clinical potential.
References
Hine, C. et al. Endogenous hydrogen sulfide production is essential for dietary restriction benefits. Cell 160, 132–144 (2015)
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du Toit, A. The health benefits of hydrogen sulphide. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 16, 68 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrm3946
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nrm3946