Description
Hydrogen sulfide (H
2S) is a naturally-
occurring gasotransmitter with vasodilator and inflammatory modulating activity. H
2S is synthesized naturally in a range of mammalian tissues principally by the activity of two enzymes, cystathionine γ lyase (CSE) and cystathionine β synthetase (CBS). β-
cyano-
L-
Alanine (BCA) is a reversible inhibitor of the H
2S-
synthesizing enzyme CSE. BCA blocks H
2S synthesis in rat liver preparations with an IC
50 value of 6.5 μM and increases blood pressure in anaesthetized rats induced with hemorrhagic shock by inhibiting endogenous H
2S synthesis. BCA at 50 mg/kg blocked both L-
cysteine-
and LPS-
induced hyperalgesia in rats.
Chemical Properties
White to off-white powder
Uses
β-L-cyanoalanine is an amino acid that promotes seed germination in A. albus seeds. Beta-Cyano-L-alanine in the diet of adult locusts causes a decrease in the hemolymph volume thereby affecting water balance responses. L-β-cyanoalanine is an inhibitor of vitamin B6.
Definition
ChEBI: A cyanoamino acid that is the 3-cyano-derivative of L-alanine.
Biochem/physiol Actions
β-Cyano-L-alanine (BCA) is used as a cystathione γ-lyase (CSE) inhibitor to study the physiological roles of hydrogen sulfide in processes such as angiogenesis and hypertension.
References
[1] L LI P K M. Putative biological roles of hydrogen sulfide in health and disease: a breath of not so fresh air[J]. Trends in pharmacological sciences, 2008, 29 2: 84-90. DOI:
10.1016/j.tips.2007.11.003[2] WANG R. Two’s company, three’s a crowd: can H2S be the third endogenous gaseous transmitter[J]. FASEB Journal, 2002, 16 13: 1792-1798. DOI:
10.1096/fj.02-0211hyp[3] MORRIS PFEFFER Charlotte R. β-Cyanoalanine, an inhibitor of rat liver cystathionase[J]. Biochemical pharmacology, 1967, 16 12: Pages 2299-2308. DOI:
10.1016/0006-2952(67)90217-1[4] YING-YUAN PAMELA MOK. Role of hydrogen sulphide in haemorrhagic shock in the rat: protective effect of inhibitors of hydrogen sulphide biosynthesis[J]. British Journal of Pharmacology, 2009, 143 7: 881-889. DOI:
10.1038/sj.bjp.0706014[5] ATSUFUMI KAWABATA . Hydrogen sulfide as a novel nociceptive messenger[J]. PAIN, 2007, 132 1: Pages 74-81. DOI:
10.1016/j.pain.2007.01.026
