Vascular endothelium expresses 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase and produces hydrogen sulfide.

Hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S) has been recognized as a smooth muscle relaxant. Cystathionine gamma-lyase, which is localized to smooth muscle, is thought to be the major H(2)S-producing enzyme in the thoracic aorta. Here we show that 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase (3MST) and cysteine aminotransferase (CAT) are localized to vascular endothelium in the thoracic aorta and produce H(2)S. Both 3MST and CAT were localized to endothelium. Lysates of vascular endothelial cells produced H(2)S from cysteine and alpha-ketoglutarate. The present study provides a new insight into the production and release of H(2)S as a smooth muscle relaxant from vascular endothelium.