S1-2 The next wave of gasotransmitter research

Abstract

Gasotransmitters are endogenously generated molecules of gas. They are freely permeable to cell membranes and their effects do no depend on specific membrane receptors or second messengers. These gaseous signaling molecules functions at physiologically relevant concentrations. The concept of “gasotransmitter” opens new windows for understanding the complex and interweaved cellular signaling networks. Wide application and critical biological importance of gasotransmitters have been realized over the last decade. Nitric oxide (NO) is produced from l-arginine. Carbon monoxide (CO) is a product of heme metabolism and regulates numerous physiological processes as NO does. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is the third gasotransmitter in terms of its discovery chronology relative to that of NO and CO. While NO takes the role of an endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF), H2S fills the gap as an endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF). These are examples of the physiological and pathophysiological roles of gasotransmitters. Gasotransmitter are biologically irreplaceable. They SAVE life. The challenges for future gasotransmitter research are plentiful. One of them is the complexity of the interactions among gasotransmitters and the significance of their cross-talks for cellular signaling network. Gasotransmitters share many common molecular targets but modulate their activities through different mechanisms. They also act on different targets but affect the common outcome. Finally, guess who’s coming to dinner as new member (s) of the modern family of gasotransmitters. The next wave of gasotransmitter research will be as big as one can envisage – you can take my prediction to the bank. (Supported by Canadian Institutes of Health Research).