# Chemical Tools for Understanding the Redox Biology of Reactive Sulfur Species

> **NIH NIH R01** · WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $314,132

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
 Reactive sulfur species such as persulfides (RSSH) and hydrogen polysulfides (H2Sn) play
regulatory roles in redox biology. Modulation of their cellular levels could have potential therapeutic
value. However, their exact mechanisms of action are still unclear. A number of fundamental
questions concerning the chemistry of these species must be addressed before we can expect a
biological understanding or clinical applications. It is vital to understand the reactivity of these species
and to appreciate the limitation and errors that may be generated when measuring them in biological
samples. In this context, research tools for accurate and convenient detection of these sulfur species
are urgently needed. Our lab has recently discovered some unique chemistry and reactions of RSSH
and H2Sn. Based on these discoveries, we expect that highly sensitive and specific chemical tools for
the study of RSSH and H2Sn can be developed. We also expect these tools will enable us to better
understand the biological significance of RSSH and H2Sn. In this application, we plan to pursue three
specific aims: 1) to develop new RSSH generation methods and labeling strategies for quantitative
proteomics characterization of protein S-sulfhydration, 2) to establish new chemistry and imaging
probes for hydrogen polysulfides; 3) to assess the distinctive contribution of reactive sulfur species on
protein S-sulfhydration and its implications on stress regulation. The proposed research will allow us
to establish novel reagents and protocols for generating specific types of reactive sulfur species, new
probes for imaging such species, and optimized quantitative proteomics approaches for effective
profiling of protein posttranslational modifications impacted by reactive sulfur species.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9840490
- **Project number:** 5R01GM125968-03
- **Recipient organization:** WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Ming Xian
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $314,132
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-01-01 → 2020-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9840490

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9840490, Chemical Tools for Understanding the Redox Biology of Reactive Sulfur Species (5R01GM125968-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9840490. Licensed CC0.

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