Hydrogen sulfide-based therapeutics: exploiting a unique but ubiquitous gasotransmitter

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a ubiquitous gaseous signalling molecule with a plethora of important roles. In this Review, Wallace and Wang describe the pathways for the synthesis and metabolism of H2S and its major mechanisms of action in health and in disease processes, before discussing examples of attempts to exploit the actions of H2S in the design of novel drugs.