The dichotomous role of H₂S in cancer cell biology? Deja vu all over again.

ABSTRACT: Nitric oxide (NO) a gaseous free radical is one of the ten smallest molecules found in nature, while hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) is a gas that bears the pungent smell of rotten eggs. Both are toxic yet they are gasotransmitters of physiological relevance. There appears to be an uncanny resemblance between the general actions of these two gasotransmitters in health and disease. The role of NO and H₂S in cancer has been quite perplexing, as both tumor promotion and inflammatory activities as well as anti-tumor and antiinflammatory properties have been described. These paradoxes have been explained for both gasotransmitters in terms of each having a dual or biphasic effect that is dependent on the local flux of each gas. In this review/commentary, I have discussed the major r

SUBMITTER: Kashfi K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5866221 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature