Do nitric oxide, carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulfide really qualify as 'gasotransmitters' in bacteria?

Content Provider	Europe PMC
Author	Wareham, Lauren K. Southam, Hannah M. Poole, Robert K.
Copyright Year	2018
Abstract	A gasotransmitter is defined as a small, generally reactive, gaseous molecule that, in solution, is generated endogenously in an organism and exerts important signalling roles. It is noteworthy that these molecules are also toxic and antimicrobial. We ask: is this definition of a gasotransmitter appropriate in the cases of nitric oxide, carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in microbes? Recent advances show that, not only do bacteria synthesise each of these gases, but the molecules also have important signalling or messenger roles in addition to their toxic effects. However, strict application of the criteria proposed for a gasotransmitter leads us to conclude that the term ‘small molecule signalling agent’, as proposed by Fukuto and others, is preferable terminology.
Related Links	https://europepmc.org/backend/ptpmcrender.fcgi?accid=PMC6195638&blobtype=pdf
ISSN	03005127
Journal	Biochemical Society Transactions [Biochem Soc Trans]
Volume Number	46
PubMed Central reference number	PMC6195638
Issue Number	5
PubMed reference number	30190328
e-ISSN	14708752
DOI	10.1042/bst20170311
Language	English
Publisher	Portland Press Ltd.
Publisher Date	2018-09-06
Access Restriction	Open
Rights License	This is an open access article published by Portland Press Limited on behalf of the Biochemical Society and distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0 (CC BY). © 2018 The Author(s)
Subject Keyword	carbon monoxide cellular signalling gasotransmitters hydrogen sulfide nitric oxide
Content Type	Text
Resource Type	Article
Subject	Biochemistry