Chemical Tools for Investing Reactive Sulfur Species
Reactive sulfur species, such as H2S and sulfane-sulfur compounds, play key roles in different (patho)physiological processes. In addition, these small molecules are also key targets for new donor motifs that function both as important research tools and pharmacological agents. Aligned with this importance, our lab has recently developed a palette of new donor motifs, including H2S- and persulfide-releasing molecules. In addition, we have also recently developed new donor strategies that release carbonyl sulfide (COS), which is quickly converted to H2S by the ubiquitous enzyme carbonic anhydrase (CA). This donor design allows for responsive COS/H2S donors to be developed, which are triggered by specific stimuli, such as reactive oxygen species, thiols, enzymes, light, click chemistry, and other triggers. This presentation will focus on recent donor constructs developed in our lab, cytoprotective effects of developed motifs, and new traceable donors that enable H2S donation to be monitored directly. In addition, we will also highlight recent work suggesting that COS may exhibit biological properties distinct from those of H2S, thus opening the door for future investigations into this emerging small molecule.
