Overview
In chemistry, hydropersulfide refers to the functional group R-S-S-H. The anionic form of a hydropersulfide is a persulfide, analogous to the nomenclature for hydroperoxides. Persulfides are intermediates in the biosynthesis of iron-sulfur proteins and are invoked as precursors to hydrogen sulfide, a biological signaling molecule. Hydropersulfides are thought to mediate many of the antioxidant signaling functions once ascribed purely to hydrogen sulfide via modification of protein cysteine (Cys) residues in a process referred to as persulfidation. Hydropersulfides are prototypical reactive sulfur species.