Endogenous Gas Signaling, Gut Microbiota, and Reactive Sulfur Species
This community investigates the physiological roles of endogenous gasotransmitters—specifically hydrogen sulfide and nitric oxide—and their interaction with the gut microbiome, focusing on how these molecules regulate cellular signaling, metabolic health, and disease states.
The research centers on the detection, synthesis, and biological effects of hydrogen sulfide and nitric oxide, often utilizing fluorescent probes and ratiometric sensors to monitor these species in living cells. A significant portion of the work examines the gut microbiota and its production of short-chain fatty acids, such as sodium butyrate, and their role in conditions like colorectal cancer, diabetes, and oxidative stress. The community also explores the chemistry of reactive sulfur species and sulfur dioxide, including the use of sulfur donors and ruthenium nitrosyl complexes as therapeutic agents. These studies frequently model disease mechanisms in rats and mice, analyzing signaling pathways and the interplay between microbial metabolites and host physiology.
The largest share of the community's output is found in sulfur research, accounting for 3.2% of all sulfur research, with 9,531 papers. This is followed by hydrogen research, which contributes 7,788 papers representing 1.3% of that element's research, and oxygen research, with 4,308 papers and a 0.8% share.
The community comprises 36,511 papers, published primarily in Nitric Oxide, the Journal of Biological Chemistry, and Inorganic Chemistry.
Recent work continues to focus on the microbiota–gut–brain axis in neurodegenerative diseases, the therapeutic potential of short-chain fatty acids in Parkinson’s disease, and the role of reactive sulfur species in protein persulfidation.