Cysteine residues are uniquely equipped to sense redox signals due to the reactivity of their thiol side chains, which can undergo oxidation to form various modifications. By sensing changes within the intracellular redox environment reactive cysteine thiols add a distinct shape and a charge characteristic that can induce protein conformational changes, ultimately triggering specific effector responses that alter cellular and tissue function. Redox sensing is essential within the cardiovascular system, where it regulates both cardiac and vascular function and significantly influences disease progression. This review provides a brief introduction to cysteine thiol redox sensors, outlines methodologies for their detection, and explores their roles in the cardiovascular system. Also discussed are recent advancements in identifying cysteine-targeted therapies and a proposal for a redefined perspective on the role of redox biology within the cardiovascular system.

半胱氨酸残基具有独特的能力来感应氧化还原信号，因为它们的巯基侧链可以发生氧化形成各种修饰。通过感应细胞内氧化还原环境中的变化，反应性半胱氨酸硫醇增加了独特的形状和电荷特性，可以诱导蛋白质构象变化，最终触发改变细胞和组织功能的特异性效应反应。氧化还原感应在心血管系统中至关重要，它调节心脏和血管功能，并显着影响疾病进展。本文简要介绍了半胱氨酸硫醇氧化还原传感器，概述了其检测方法，并探讨了它们在心血管系统中的作用。还讨论了识别半胱氨酸靶向疗法的最新进展，以及关于氧化还原生物学在心血管系统中的作用的重新定义观点的提议。