Cited by 1,515Ferroptosis and cancer prognosisCell death mechanisms and regulationIron Metabolism and Disorders

Mechanisms of ferroptosis

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Cao, Jennifer Yinuo, Dixon, Scott J.·2016·Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences

Abstract

Ferroptosis is a non-apoptotic form of cell death that can be triggered by small molecules or conditions that inhibit glutathione biosynthesis or the glutathione-dependent antioxidant enzyme glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4). This lethal process is defined by the iron-dependent accumulation of lipid reactive oxygen species and depletion of plasma membrane polyunsaturated fatty acids. Cancer cells with high level RAS-RAF-MEK pathway activity or p53 expression may be sensitized to this process. Conversely, a number of small molecule inhibitors of ferroptosis have been identified, including ferrostatin-1 and liproxstatin-1, which can block pathological cell death events in brain, kidney and other tissues. Recent work has identified a number of genes required for ferroptosis, including those involved in lipid and amino acid metabolism. Outstanding questions include the relationship between ferroptosis and other forms of cell death, and whether activation or inhibition of ferroptosis can be exploited to achieve desirable therapeutic ends.

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  • Cells are desensitized to ferroptosis through genetic silencing of iron uptake (TfR1), metabolism (IRP2 and ISCU) and storage (ferritin) genes, or through depletion of transferrin in the extracellular environment.

    “Cells are also desensitized to ferroptosis through genetic silencing of iron uptake (TfR1), metabolism (IRP2 and ISCU) and storage (ferritin) genes [62], [66], [82], or through depletion of transferrin in the extracellular environment [83].”
  • RSL3 induces ferroptosis through direct inhibition of GPX4 without dependence upon system Xc- inhibition or glutathione depletion.

    “which in contrast to erastin induces ferroptosis through direct inhibition of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) without dependance upon system Xc- inhibition or glutathione depletion [82].”
  • Ferroptosis can be initiated through repression of SLC7A11, resulting in iron-dependent accumulation of ROS and glutathione depletion.

    “Distinctly, ferroptosis can be initiated through repression of the p53 target, SLC7A11, which encodes a component of the cysteine/glutamate antiporter (system Xc-), resulting in iron-dependent accumulation of ROS and glutathione (antioxidant) depletion [62], [82].”

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Authors
Cao, J. Y., & Dixon, S. J.
Affiliations
Stanford University (US)
Corresponding author
Dixon, Scott J.
Venue
Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences
Published
2016-04-05
Volume
73
Issue
11-12
Pages
2195-2209
ISSN
  • 1420-682X (ISSN-L)
  • 1420-9071
OpenAlex
W2327686392
Cited by
1,515
References
90
Citations by year
2026: 93 · 2025: 174 · 2024: 216 · 2023: 243 · 2022: 271 · 2021: 208 · 2020: 114 · 2019: 83 · 2018: 64 · 2017: 38 · 2016: 9
FWCI
11.27
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
National Cancer Institute (R00CA166517)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine › Ferroptosis and cancer prognosis
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Cell death mechanisms and regulation
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Hematology › Iron Metabolism and Disorders
Keywords
ferroptosis, non-apoptotic cell death, GPX4, glutathione synthesis, lipid reactive oxygen species, polyunsaturated fatty acids, ferrostatin-1, liproxstatin-1, RAS/RAF/MEK pathway, p53, lipid metabolism, amino acid metabolism, ferroptosis inhibitors, cancer therapy
MeSH terms
Phospholipid Hydroperoxide Glutathione Peroxidase, Cell Membrane, Cyclohexylamines, Fatty Acids, Unsaturated, Glutathione, Glutathione Peroxidase, Iron, Neoplasms, Phenylenediamines, Quinoxalines, Spiro Compounds, Cell Death, Reactive Oxygen Species

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