Transcription factors in ferroptotic cell death

Chongshan Dai, Xin Chen, Jingbo Li, Paul Comish, Rui Kang, Daolin Tang

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

126 Scopus citations

Abstract

Ferroptosis, a form of regulated cell death, is characterized by an excessive degree of iron accumulation and lipid peroxidation. Although it was originally identified only in cells expressing a mutant RAS oncogene, ferroptosis has also been found in normal cells following treatment by small molecules (e.g., erastin and RSL3) or drugs (e.g., sulfasalazine, sorafenib, and artesunate), which target antioxidant enzyme systems, especially the amino acid antiporter system xc and the glutathione peroxidase GPX4. Dysfunctional ferroptosis is implicated in various physiological and pathological processes (e.g., metabolism, differentiation, and immunity). Targeting the ferroptotic network appears to a new treatment option for diseases or pathological conditions (e.g., cancer, neurodegeneration, and ischemia reperfusion injury). While the molecular machinery of ferroptosis remains largely unknown, several transcription factors (e.g., TP53, NFE2L2/NRF2, ATF3, ATF4, YAP1, TAZ, TFAP2C, SP1, HIF1A, EPAS1/HIF2A, BACH1, TFEB, JUN, HIC1, and HNF4A) play multiple roles in shaping ferroptosis sensitivity through either transcription-dependent or transcription-independent mechanisms. In this review, we summarize recent progress in understanding the transcriptional regulation underlying ferroptotic cell death, and discuss how it has provided new insights into cancer therapy.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)645-656
Number of pages12
JournalCancer Gene Therapy
Volume27
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 1 2020

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Molecular Medicine
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Research

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Transcription factors in ferroptotic cell death'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this