The elemental role of iron in DNA synthesis and repair

Strain variation in the Candida albicans iron limitation response

Iron acquisition is critical for pathogens to proliferate during invasive infection, and the human fungal pathogen Candida albicans is no exception. The iron regulatory network, established in reference strain SC5314 and derivatives, includes the central player Sef1, a transcription factor that activates iron acquisition genes in response to iron limitation. Here, we explored potential variation in this network among five diverse C. albicans strains through mutant analysis, Nanostring gene expression profiling, and, for two strains, RNA-Seq. Our findings highlight four features that may inform future studies of natural variation and iron acquisition in this species. (i) Conformity: In all strains, major iron acquisition genes are upregulated during iron limitation, and a sef1Δ/Δ mutation impairs that response and growth during iron limitation. (ii) Response variation: Some aspects of the iron limitation response vary among strains, notably the activation of hypha-associated genes. As this gene set is tied to tissue damage and virulence, variation may impact the progression of infection. (iii) Genotype-phenotype variation: The impact of a sef1Δ/Δ mutation on cell wall integrity varies, and for the two strains examined the phenotype correlated with sef1Δ/Δ impact on several cell wall integrity genes. (iv) Phenotype discovery: DNA repair genes were induced modestly by iron limitation in sef1Δ/Δ mutants, with fold changes we would usually ignore. However, the response occurred in both strains tested and was reminiscent of a much stronger response described in Cryptococcus neoformans, a suggestion that it may have biological meaning. In fact, we observed that the iron limitation of a sef1Δ/Δ mutant caused recessive phenotypes to emerge at two heterozygous loci. Overall, our results show that a network that is critical for pathogen proliferation presents variation outside of its core functions.IMPORTANCEA key virulence factor of Candida albicans is the ability to maintain iron homeostasis in the host where iron is scarce. We focused on a central iron regulator, SEF1. We found that iron regulator Sef1 is required for growth, cell wall integrity, and genome integrity during iron limitation. The novel aspect of this work is the characterization of strain variation in a circuit that is required for survival in the host and the connection of iron acquisition to genome integrity in C. albicans.

Photophysical Investigation of One Pot Synthesized Novel Indenofluorene Derivative (BDP) as a Fluorescent Chemosensor for the Detection of Fe3+ Ion

An Indane-1-one derivative 11-(1-benzyl-1H-indol-3-yl)-10,12-dihydrodiindeno[1,2-b:2',1'-e]-pyridine (BDP) has been synthesized by the reaction of Indan-1-one with 1-benzyl-1H-indole-3-carbaldehyde. FT-IR, 1H-NMR, 13N-NMR and Mass spectroscopic techniques has been used to confirmed the structure of BDP. The observed photophysical changes in BDP across various solvents were associated. The impact of various interactions on photophysical parameters, including Stokes shift, dipole moment, oscillator strength, and fluorescence quantum yields, has been assessed in relation to solvent polarity. Moreover, BDP demonstrates potential as a selective fluorescent chemosensor for detecting Fe3+ ion within a range of cations in an aqueous DMSO environment. A thorough investigation into the recognition mechanism of BDP towards Fe3+ ion has been conducted using Benesi-Hildebrand and Stern-Volmer, measurements. BDP forms a 2:1 complex with the Fe3+ ion, exhibiting fluorescent quenching behaviour.

Unleashing the potential of cell painting assays for compound activities and hazards prediction

The cell painting (CP) assay has emerged as a potent imaging-based high-throughput phenotypic profiling (HTPP) tool that provides comprehensive input data for in silico prediction of compound activities and potential hazards in drug discovery and toxicology. CP enables the rapid, multiplexed investigation of various molecular mechanisms for thousands of compounds at the single-cell level. The resulting large volumes of image data provide great opportunities but also pose challenges to image and data analysis routines as well as property prediction models. This review addresses the integration of CP-based phenotypic data together with or in substitute of structural information from compounds into machine (ML) and deep learning (DL) models to predict compound activities for various human-relevant disease endpoints and to identify the underlying modes-of-action (MoA) while avoiding unnecessary animal testing. The successful application of CP in combination with powerful ML/DL models promises further advances in understanding compound responses of cells guiding therapeutic development and risk assessment. Therefore, this review highlights the importance of unlocking the potential of CP assays when combined with molecular fingerprints for compound evaluation and discusses the current challenges that are associated with this approach.

NDRG1 acts as an oncogene in triple-negative breast cancer and its loss sensitizes cells to mitochondrial iron chelation

Multiple studies indicate that iron chelators enhance their anti-cancer properties by inducing NDRG1, a known tumor and metastasis suppressor. However, the exact role of NDRG1 remains controversial, as newer studies have shown that NDRG1 can also act as an oncogene. Our group recently introduced mitochondrially targeted iron chelators deferoxamine (mitoDFO) and deferasirox (mitoDFX) as effective anti-cancer agents. In this study, we evaluated the ability of these modified chelators to induce NDRG1 and the role of NDRG1 in breast cancer. We demonstrated that both compounds specifically increase NDRG1 without inducing other NDRG family members. We have documented that the effect of mitochondrially targeted chelators is at least partially mediated by GSK3α/β, leading to phosphorylation of NDRG1 at Thr346 and to a lesser extent on Ser330. Loss of NDRG1 increases cell death induced by mitoDFX. Notably, MDA-MB-231 cells lacking NDRG1 exhibit reduced extracellular acidification rate and grow slower than parental cells, while the opposite is true for ER+ MCF7 cells. Moreover, overexpression of full-length NDRG1 and the N-terminally truncated isoform (59112) significantly reduced sensitivity towards mitoDFX in ER+ cells. Furthermore, cells overexpressing full-length NDRG1 exhibited a significantly accelerated tumor formation, while its N-terminally truncated isoforms showed significantly impaired capacity to form tumors. Thus, overexpression of full-length NDRG1 promotes tumor growth in highly aggressive triple-negative breast cancer.

Stealing survival: Iron acquisition strategies of Mycobacteriumtuberculosis

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), the causative agent of tuberculosis (TB), faces iron scarcity within the host due to immune defenses. This review explores the importance of iron for Mtb and its strategies to overcome iron restriction. We discuss how the host limits iron as an innate immune response and how Mtb utilizes various iron acquisition systems, particularly the siderophore-mediated pathway. The review illustrates the structure and biosynthesis of mycobactin, a key siderophore in Mtb, and the regulation of its production. We explore the potential of targeting siderophore biosynthesis and uptake as a novel therapeutic approach for TB. Finally, we summarize current knowledge on Mtb's iron acquisition and highlight promising directions for future research to exploit this pathway for developing new TB interventions.

Long Noncoding RNA 6302 Regulates Chicken Preadipocyte Differentiation by Targeting SLC22A16

The excessive deposition of abdominal adipocytes in chickens is detrimental to poultry production. However, the regulatory factors that affect abdominal adipogenesis in chickens are still poorly understood. SLC22A16 is differentially expressed in abdominal preadipocytes and 10-day differentiated adipocytes in chickens, but its role in regulating chicken adipogenesis has not been reported. In this study, the function of SLC22A16 in chicken abdominal preadipocytes was investigated. SLC22A16 is significantly upregulated during abdominal adipocyte differentiation. The overexpression of SLC2A16 upregulated the expression of adipogenic marker genes and proliferation-related genes, and promoted the proliferation of adipocytes and the accumulation of triglycerides. The knockdown of SLC22A16 downregulated the expression of adipogenic marker genes and proliferation-related genes, inhibited the proliferation of adipocytes, and impaired the accumulation of triglycerides in adipocytes. In addition, LNC6302 was differentially expressed in abdominal preadipocytes and mature adipocytes, and was significantly positively correlated with the expression of SLC22A16. Interference with LNC6302 inhibits the expression of adipogenic marker genes and proliferation-related genes. The data supported the notion that LNC6302 promotes the differentiation of chicken abdominal adipocytes by cis-regulating the expression of SLC22A16. This study identified the role of SLC22A16 in the differentiation and proliferation of chicken adipocytes, providing a potential target for improving abdominal adipogenesis in chickens.

From ferroptosis to cuproptosis, and calcicoptosis, to find more novel metals-mediated distinct form of regulated cell death

Regulated cell death (RCD), also known as programmed cell death (PCD), plays a critical role in various biological processes, such as tissue injury/repair, development, and homeostasis. Dysregulation of RCD pathways can lead to the development of many human diseases, such as cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, and cardiovascular diseases. Maintaining proper metal ion homeostasis is critical for human health. However, imbalances in metal levels within cells can result in cytotoxicity and cell death, leading to a variety of diseases and health problems. In recent years, new types of metal overload-induced cell death have been identified, including ferroptosis, cuproptosis, and calcicoptosis. This has prompted us to examine the three defined metal-dependent cell death types, and discuss other metals-induced ferroptosis, cuproptosis, and disrupted Ca2+ homeostasis, as well as the roles of Zn2+ in metals' homeostasis and related RCD. We have reviewed the connection between metals-induced RCD and various diseases, as well as the underlying mechanisms. We believe that further research in this area will lead to the discovery of novel types of metal-dependent RCD, a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms, and the development of new therapeutic strategies for human diseases.

Elesclomol-copper synergizes with imidazole ketone erastin by promoting cuproptosis and ferroptosis in myelodysplastic syndromes

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) encompass a collection of clonal hematopoietic malignancies distinguished by the depletion of peripheral blood cells. The treatment of MDS is hindered by the advanced age of patients, with a restricted repertoire of drugs currently accessible for therapeutic intervention. In this study, we found that ES-Cu strongly inhibited the viability of MDS cell lines and activated cuproptosis in a copper-dependent manner. Importantly, ferroptosis inducer IKE synergistically enhanced ES-Cu-mediated cytotoxicity both in vitro and in vivo. Of note, the combination of IKE and ES-Cu intensively impaired mitochondrial homeostasis with increased mitochondrial ROS, MMP hyperpolarized, down-regulated iron-sulfur proteins and declined oxygen consumption rate. Additionally, ES-Cu/IKE treatment could enhance the lipoylation-dependent oligomerization of the DLAT. To elucidate the specific order of events in the synergistic cell death, inhibitors of ferroptosis and cuproptosis were utilized to further characterize the basis of cell death. Cell viability assays showed that the glutathione and its precursor N-acetylcysteine could significantly rescue the cell death under either mono or combination treatment, demonstrating that GSH acts at the crossing point in the regulation network of cuproptosis and ferroptosis. Significantly, the reconstitution of xCT expression and knockdown of FDX1 cells have been found to contribute to the tolerance of mono treatment but have little recovery impact on the combined treatment. Collectively, these findings suggest that a synergistic interaction leading to the induction of multiple programmed cell death pathways could be a promising approach to enhance the effectiveness of therapy for MDS.

Revealing the diversity of Jojoba-associated fungi using amplicon metagenome approach and assessing the in vitro biocontrol activity of its cultivable community

Jojoba shrubs are wild plants cultivated in arid and semiarid lands and characterized by tolerance to drought, salinity, and high temperatures. Fungi associated with such plants may be attributed to the tolerance of host plants against biotic stress in addition to the promotion of plant growth. Previous studies showed the importance of jojoba as jojoba oil in the agricultural field; however, no prior study discussed the role of jojoba-associated fungi (JAF) in reflecting plant health and the possibility of using JAF in biocontrol. Here, the culture-independent and culture-dependent approaches were performed to study the diversity of the jojoba-associated fungi. Then, the cultivable fungi were evaluated for in-vitro antagonistic activity and in vitro plant growth promotion assays. The metagenome analysis revealed the existence of four fungal phyla: Ascomycota, Aphelidiomycota, Basidiomycota, and Mortierellomycota. The phylum Ascomycota was the most common and had the highest relative abundance in soil, root, branch, and fruit samples (59.7%, 50.7%, 49.8%, and 52.4%, respectively). Alternaria was the most abundant genus in aboveground tissues: branch (43.7%) and fruit (32.1%), while the genus Discosia had the highest abundance in the underground samples: soil (24%) and root (30.7%). For the culture-dependent method, a total of 14 fungi were isolated, identified, and screened for their chitinolytic and antagonist activity against three phytopathogenic fungi (Fusarium oxysporum, Alternaria alternata and Rhizoctonia solani) as well as their in vitro plant growth promotion (PGP) activity. Based on ITS sequence analysis, the selected potent isolates were identified as Aspergillus stellatusEJ-JFF3, Aspergillus flavus EJ-JFF4, Stilbocrea sp. EJ-JLF1, Fusarium solani EJ-JRF3, and Amesia atrobrunneaEJ-JSF4. The endophyte strain A. flavus EJ-JFF4 exhibited the highest chitinolytic activity (9 Enzyme Index) and antagonistic potential against Fusarium oxysporum, Alternaria alternata, and Rhizoctonia solani phytopathogens with inhibitory percentages of 72, 70, and 80 respectively. Also, A. flavus EJ-JFF4 had significant multiple PGP properties, including siderophore production (69.3%), phosphate solubilization (95.4 µg ml-1). The greatest production of Indol-3-Acetic Acid was belonged to A. atrobrunnea EJ-JSF4 (114.5 µg ml-1). The analysis of FUNGuild revealed the abundance of symbiotrophs over other trophic modes, and the guild of endophytes was commonly assigned in all samples. For the first time, this study uncovered fungal diversity associated with jojoba plants using a culture-independent approach and in-vitro assessed the roles of cultivable fungal strains in promoting plant growth and biocontrol. The present study indicated the significance of jojoba shrubs as a potential source of diverse fungi with high biocontrol and PGP activities.

Exploring the Role of Ferroptosis-Related Circular RNAs in Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a devastating cerebrovascular event associated with high mortality and significant morbidity. Recent studies have highlighted the emerging role of ferroptosis, a novel form of regulated cell death, in the pathogenesis of SAH. Circular RNAs (circRNAs), have been found to play essential roles in various cellular processes, including gene regulation and disease pathogenesis. The expression profile of circRNAs in neural tissues, particularly in the brain, suggests their critical role in synaptic function and neurogenesis. Moreover, the interplay between circRNAs and ferroptosis-related pathways, such as iron metabolism and lipid peroxidation, is explored in the context of SAH. Understanding the functional roles of specific circRNAs in the context of SAH may provide potential therapeutic targets to attenuate ferroptosis-associated brain injury. Furthermore, the potential of circRNAs as diagnostic biomarkers for SAH severity, prognosis, and treatment response is discussed. Overall, this review highlights the significance of studying the intricate interplay between circRNAs and ferroptosis in the context of SAH. Unraveling the mechanisms by which circRNAs modulate ferroptotic cell death may pave the way for the development of novel therapeutic strategies and diagnostic approaches for SAH management, ultimately improving patient outcomes and quality of life.

Transferrin receptor 1 promotes hepatocellular carcinoma progression and metastasis by activating the mTOR signaling pathway

BACKGROUND

Aberrant iron metabolism is commonly observed in multiple tumor types, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, as the key regulator of iron metabolism involved in iron absorption, the role of transferrin receptor (TFRC) in HCC remains elusive.

METHODS

The mRNA and protein expression of TFRC were evaluated in paired HCC and adjacent non-tumor specimens. The correlation between TFRC level and clinicopathological features or prognostic significance was also analyzed. The role of TFRC on biological functions was finally studied in vitro and in vivo.

RESULTS

The TFRC level was remarkably upregulated in HCC tissues compared to paired peritumor tissues. Overexpressed TFRC positively correlated with serum alpha-fetoprotein, carcinoembryonic antigen, and poor tumor differentiation. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that upregulated TFRC was an independent predictive marker for poorer overall survival and disease-free survival in HCC patients. Loss of TFRC markedly impaired cell proliferation and migration in vitro and notably suppressed HCC growth and metastasis in vivo, while overexpression of TFRC performed an opposite effect. Mechanistically, the mTOR signaling pathway was downregulated with TFRC knockdown, and the mTOR agonist MHY1485 completely reversed the biological inhibition in HCC cells caused by TFRC knockdown. Furthermore, exogenous ferric citrate (FAC) or iron chelator reversed the changed biological functions and signaling pathway expression of HCC cells caused by TFRC knockdown or overexpression, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study indicates that TFRC exerts an oncogenic role in HCC and may become a promising therapeutic target to restrain HCC progression.

SIDERITE: Unveiling hidden siderophore diversity in the chemical space through digital exploration

In this work, we introduced a siderophore information database (SIDERTE), a digitized siderophore information database containing 649 unique structures. Leveraging this digitalized data set, we gained a systematic overview of siderophores by their clustering patterns in the chemical space. Building upon this, we developed a functional group-based method for predicting new iron-binding molecules with experimental validation. Expanding our approach to the collection of open natural products (COCONUT) database, we predicted a staggering 3199 siderophore candidates, showcasing remarkable structure diversity that is largely unexplored. Our study provides a valuable resource for accelerating the discovery of novel iron-binding molecules and advancing our understanding of siderophores.

Dietary contribution of iron from limestone and dicalcium phosphate for broiler chickens

Iron is routinely supplemented in broiler feeds aiming to prevent dietary deficiencies. Limestone and phosphates are very rich in Fe; however, its contribution from these sources have not been thoroughly investigated with chickens. The present research was conducted to evaluate live performance and blood parameters of broilers when using limestone and dicalcium phosphate as sources of Fe. A total of 576 one-day-old male Cobb x Cobb 500 were allocated into a total of 72 battery cages, 6 treatments with 12 replication cages of 8 chicks at placement. Chicks were fed diets formulated with corn, soybean meal (SBM) with laboratory grade calcium carbonate and phosphoric acid (having traces of Fe). All chicks were fed a common prestarter without Fe supplementation (analyzed total 58.2 ± 2.4 mg/kg Fe) from placement to 7 d. Allocation of birds to dietary treatments was completely randomized on day 8. Treatments had increasing Fe derived from commercial limestone and dicalcium phosphate (analyzed Fe 7,218 and 4,783 mg/kg, respectively) progressively replacing calcium carbonate and phosphoric acid to provide graded increases in total Fe (analyzed Fe in the feeds were 57.6 ± 2.1, 92.0 ± 2.3, 124.1 ± 2.7, 159.3 ± 3.1, 187.2 ± 3.2, 223.7 ± 3.6 mg/kg, respectively). There were no effects of dietary Fe on live performance, hematocrit, and hemoglobin the end of the study on day 28 (P > 0.05). Increasing dietary Fe from commercial limestone and dicalcium phosphate led to a linear reduction in the percent ileal digestible Fe. However, linear increments in Fe retention, serum ferritin and liver Fe occurred when compared to feeds without Fe derived from limestone and phosphate dicalcium. It is concluded that Fe from limestone and dicalcium phosphate can be partially utilized by broiler chickens. It was estimated that the Fe retained from limestone and dicalcium phosphate is of 1.9%. Broilers fed corn-soy feeds (58.2 mg/kg Fe) do not require supplemental Fe.

Ferroptosis and cuproptposis in kidney Diseases: dysfunction of cell metabolism

Metal ions play an important role in living organisms and are involved in essential physiological activities. However, the overload state of ions can cause excess free radicals, cell damage, and even cell death. Ferroptosis and cuproptosis are specific forms of cell death that are distinct from apoptosis, necroptosis, and other regulated cell death. These unique modalities of cell death, dependent on iron and copper, are regulated by multiple cellular metabolic pathways, including steady-state metal redox treatment mitochondrial activity of lipid, amino acid and glucose metabolism, and various signaling pathways associated with disease. Although the mechanisms of ferroptosis and cuproptosis are not yet fully understood, there is no doubt that ion overload plays a crucial act in these metal-dependent cell deaths. In this review, we discussed the core roles of ion overload in ferroptosis and cuproptosis, the association between metabolism imbalance and ferroptosis and cuproptosis, the extract the diseases caused by ion overload and current treatment modalities.

Effects of Iron-Fortified Foods on the Nutritional Status of Children Residing in Regions Vulnerable to Parasitic Diseases: A Systematic Review

Parasitic infections (PIs) remain a public health concern among school-age children living in areas of greater socioeconomic vulnerability, especially in Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. PIs can promote nutritional deficiencies, increasing the risk of anemia and impaired physical and cognitive development. Thus, fortified foods have been considered as a promising strategy for improving the nutritional status of children and preventing PI complications. This systematic review aimed to present the effects of iron-fortified foods for deworming and improving blood parameters in schoolchildren residing in areas that are vulnerable to PIs. This review is based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines of randomized clinical trials addressing the use of fortified foods and micronutrients in children living in areas endemic for PIs. The PubMed, LILACS, Scopus, and Cochrane databases were searched to identify articles published between 2000 and 2020. A total of 153 records were retrieved from the databases, 10 of which were considered eligible for this study. On the basis of our analysis, most of the selected studies showed that the inclusion of fortified foods in the diet improved blood and infectious parameters. Therefore, fortified foods can be used as an important tool for controlling the adverse outcomes of PIs among children living in areas of greater vulnerability. However, more studies on this topic are needed to provide more evidence and consolidate strategies using iron-fortified food.

Minerals and the Menstrual Cycle: Impacts on Ovulation and Endometrial Health

The role of minerals in female fertility, particularly in relation to the menstrual cycle, presents a complex area of study that underscores the interplay between nutrition and reproductive health. This narrative review aims to elucidate the impacts of minerals on key aspects of the reproductive system: hormonal regulation, ovarian function and ovulation, endometrial health, and oxidative stress. Despite the attention given to specific micronutrients in relation to reproductive disorders, there is a noticeable absence of a comprehensive review focusing on the impact of minerals throughout the menstrual cycle on female fertility. This narrative review aims to address this gap by examining the influence of minerals on reproductive health. Each mineral's contribution is explored in detail to provide a clearer picture of its importance in supporting female fertility. This comprehensive analysis not only enhances our knowledge of reproductive health but also offers clinicians valuable insights into potential therapeutic strategies and the recommended intake of minerals to promote female reproductive well-being, considering the menstrual cycle. This review stands as the first to offer such a detailed examination of minerals in the context of the menstrual cycle, aiming to elevate the understanding of their critical role in female fertility and reproductive health.

Bradysia (Sciara) coprophila larvae up-regulate DNA repair pathways and down-regulate developmental regulators in response to ionizing radiation

The level of resistance to radiation and the developmental and molecular responses can vary between species, and even between developmental stages of one species. For flies (order: Diptera), prior studies concluded that the fungus gnat Bradysia (Sciara) coprophila (sub-order: Nematocera) is more resistant to irradiation-induced mutations that cause visible phenotypes than the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster (sub-order: Brachycera). Therefore, we characterized the effects of and level of resistance to ionizing radiation on B. coprophila throughout its life cycle. Our data show that B. coprophila embryos are highly sensitive to even low doses of gamma-irradiation, whereas late-stage larvae can tolerate up to 80 Gy (compared to 40 Gy for D. melanogaster) and still retain their ability to develop to adulthood, though with a developmental delay. To survey the genes involved in the early transcriptional response to irradiation of B. coprophila larvae, we compared larval RNA-seq profiles with and without radiation treatment. The up-regulated genes were enriched for DNA damage response genes, including those involved in DNA repair, cell cycle arrest, and apoptosis, whereas the down-regulated genes were enriched for developmental regulators, consistent with the developmental delay of irradiated larvae. Interestingly, members of the PARP and AGO families were highly up-regulated in the B. coprophila radiation response. We compared the transcriptome responses in B. coprophila to the transcriptome responses in D. melanogaster from 3 previous studies: whereas pathway responses are highly conserved, specific gene responses are less so. Our study lays the groundwork for future work on the radiation responses in Diptera.

Clinical and molecular analysis of a novel variant in heme oxygenase-1 deficiency: Unraveling its role in inflammation, heme metabolism, and pulmonary phenotype

Heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) is the pivotal catalyst for the primary and rate-determining step in heme catabolism, playing a crucial role in mitigating heme-induced oxidative damage. Pathogenic variants in the HMOX1 gene which encodes HO-1, are responsible for a severe, multisystem disease characterized by recurrent inflammatory episodes, organ failure, and an ultimately fatal course. Chronic hemolysis and abnormally low bilirubin levels are cardinal laboratory features of this disorder. In this study, we describe a patient with severe interstitial lung disease, frequent episodes of hyperinflammation non-responsive to immunosuppression, and fatal pulmonary hemorrhage. Employing exome sequencing, we identified two protein truncating variants in HMOX1, c.262_268delinsCC (p.Ala88Profs*51) and a previously unreported variant, c.55dupG (p.Glu19Glyfs*14). Functional analysis in patient-derived lymphoblastoid cells unveiled the complete absence of HO-1 protein expression and a marked reduction in cell viability upon exposure to hemin. These findings confirm the pathogenicity of the identified HMOX1 variants, further underscoring their association with severe pulmonary manifestations . This study describes the profound clinical consequences stemming from disruptions in redox metabolism.

Ferritin: Significance in viral infections

As an indispensable trace element, iron is essential for many biological processes. Increasing evidence has shown that virus infection can perturb iron metabolism and play a role in the occurrence and development of viral infection-related diseases. Ferritin plays a crucial role in maintaining the body's iron homoeostasis. It is an important protein to stabilise the iron balance in cells. Ferritin is a 24-mer hollow iron storage protein composed of two subunits: ferritin heavy chain and ferritin light chain. It was reported that ferritin is not only an intra-cellular iron storage protein, but also a pathogenic mediator that enhances the inflammatory process and stimulates the further inflammatory pathway, which is a key member of the vicious pathogenic cycle to perpetuate. Ferritin exerts immuno-suppressive and pro-inflammatory functions during viral infection. In this review, we describe in detail the basic information of ferritin in the first section, including its structural features, the regulation of ferritin. In the second part, we focus on the role of ferritin in viral infection-related diseases and the molecular mechanisms by which viral infection regulates ferritin. The last section briefly outlines the potential of ferritin in antiviral therapy. Given the importance of iron and viral infection, understanding the role of ferritin during viral infection helps us understand the relationship between iron metabolic dysfunction and viral infection, which provides a new direction for the development of antiviral therapeutic drugs.

Ferritinophagy induced ferroptosis in the management of cancer

BACKGROUND

Ferroptosis, a newly form of regulated cell death (RCD), is characterized by iron dyshomeostasis and unrestricted lipid peroxidation. Emerging evidence depicts a pivotal role for ferroptosis in driving some pathological processes, especially in cancer. Triggering ferroptosis can suppress tumor growth and induce an anti-tumor immune response, denoting the therapeutic promises for targeting ferroptosis in the management of cancer. As an autophagic phenomenon, ferritinophagy is critical to induce ferroptosis by degradation of ferritin to release intracellular free iron. Recently, a great deal of effort has gone into designing and developing anti-cancer strategies based on targeting ferritinophagy to induce ferroptosis.

CONCLUSION

This review delineates the regulatory mechanism of ferritinophagy firstly and summarizes the role of ferritinophagy-induced ferroptosis in cancer. Moreover, the strategies targeting ferritinophagy to induce ferroptosis are highlighted to unveil the therapeutic value of ferritinophagy as a target to manage cancer. Finally, the future research directions on how to cope with the challenges in developing ferritinophagy promoters into clinical therapeutics are discussed.

Micronutrients Importance in Cancer Prevention-Minerals

Cancer, a non-communicable disease with diverse kinds is one of the major global problems with high incidence and no proven method to prevent or treat. Minerals including trace elements are significant micronutrients for preserving the body's typical physiological function. In contrast to extremely processed industrial food, they are rich in natural sources of food and frequently included in nutritional supplements. The daily intake, storage capacities, and homeostasis of micronutrients depend on specific dietary practices in contemporary civilization and can be disturbed by various malignancies. Varied minerals have different effects on the status of cancer depending on how they affect these pathways. The outcomes could differ depending on the mineral such as calcium's supply and the cancer's location. A mineral called zinc helps the immune system function better and aids in wound healing. On the other hand, selenium exhibits anti-oxidant functions and has a dose-response relationship with many cancer types. However, this component can make the patient's condition worse. Although the body produces free radicals when iron is deficient, anaemia affects a patient's quality of life and ability to receive therapy. This chapter compiles the knowledge of minerals connected to unusual accumulation or depletion states in various malignancies.

Iron Homeostatic Regulation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae: Introduction to a Computational Modeling Method

Over the past 30 years, much has been learned regarding iron homeostatic regulation in budding yeast, S. cerevisiae, including the identity of many of the proteins and molecular-level regulatory mechanisms involved. Most advances have involved inferring such mechanisms based on the analysis of iron-dysregulation phenotypes arising in various genetic mutant strains. Still lacking is a cellular- or system-level understanding of iron homeostasis. These experimental advances are summarized in this review, and a method for developing cellular-level regulatory mechanisms in yeast is presented. The method employs the results of Mössbauer spectroscopy of whole cells and organelles, iron quantification of the same, and ordinary differential equation-based mathematical models. Current models are simplistic when compared to the complexity of iron homeostasis in real cells, yet they hold promise as a useful, perhaps even required, complement to the popular genetics-based approach. The fundamental problem in comprehending cellular regulatory mechanisms is that, given the complexities involved, different molecular-level mechanisms can often give rise to virtually indistinguishable cellular phenotypes. Mathematical models cannot eliminate this problem, but they can minimize it.

Proximity Ligation Assay for the Analysis of Iron-Mediated Protein-Protein Interactions in the Nucleus

Iron forms essential cofactors used by many nuclear enzymes involved in genome maintenance. However, unchaperoned nuclear iron may represent a threat to the surrounding genetic material as it promotes redox toxicity that may affect DNA integrity. Safely handling intracellular iron implies metal transfer and cofactor assembly processes based on protein-protein interactions. Identifying those interactions commonly occurs via high-throughput approaches using affinity purification or proximity labeling coupled with mass spectrometry analysis. However, these methods do not identify the subcellular location of the interactions. The one-on-one confirmation of proposed nuclear interactions is also challenging. Many approaches used to look at protein interactions are not tailored for looking at the nucleus because the methods used to solubilize nuclear content are harsh enough to disrupt those transient interactions. Here, we describe step-by-step the use of Proximity Ligation Assay (PLA) to analyze iron-mediated protein-protein interactions in the nucleus of cultured human cells. PLA allows the subcellular visualization of the interactions via the in situ detection of the two interacting proteins using fluorescence confocal microscopy. Briefly, cells are fixed, blocked, permeabilized, and incubated with primary antibodies directed to target proteins. Primary antibodies are recognized using PLA probes consisting of one PLUS and one MINUS oligonucleotide-labeled secondary antibody. If the two proteins are close enough (<40 nm), the PLA probes are ligated and used as the template for rolling circle amplification (RCA) with fluorescently labeled oligonucleotides that yield a signal detectable using fluorescence confocal microscopy. A fluorescently labeled membrane-specific stain (WGA) and the DNA-specific probe DAPI are used to identify cellular and nuclear boundaries, respectively. Confocal images are then analyzed using the CellProfiler software to confirm the abundance and localization of the studied protein-protein interactions.

Fungus-based bioherbicides on circular economy

This review aimed to show that bioherbicides are possible in organic agriculture as natural compounds from fungi and metabolites produced by them. It is discussed that new formulations must be developed to improve field stability and enable the commercialization of microbial herbicides. Due to these bottlenecks, it is crucial to advance the bioprocesses behind the formulation and fermentation of bio-based herbicides, scaling up, strategies for field application, and the potential of bioherbicides in the global market. In this sense, it proposed insights for modern agriculture based on sustainable development and circular economy, precisely the formulation, scale-up, and field application of microbial bioherbicides.

Deeper insight into ferroptosis: association with Alzheimer's, Parkinson's disease, and brain tumors and their possible treatment by nanomaterials induced ferroptosis

Ferroptosis is an emerging and novel type of iron-dependent programmed cell death which is mainly caused by the excessive deposition of free intracellular iron in the brain cells. This deposited free iron exerts a ferroptosis pathway, resulting in lipid peroxidation (LiPr). There are mainly three ferroptosis pathways viz. iron metabolism-mediated cysteine/glutamate, and LiPr-mediated. Iron is required by the brain as a redox metal for several physiological activities. Due to the iron homeostasis balance disruption, the brain gets adversely affected which further causes neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease, strokes, and brain tumors like glioblastoma (GBS), and glioma. Nanotechnology has played an important role in the prevention and treatment of these NDDs. A synergistic effect of nanomaterials and ferroptosis could prove to be an effective and efficient approach in the field of nanomedicine. In the current review, the authors have highlighted all the latest research in the field of ferroptosis, specifically emphasizing on the role of major molecular key players and various mechanisms involved in the ferroptosis pathway. Moreover, here the authors have also addressed the correlation of ferroptosis with the pathophysiology of NDDs and theragnostic effect of ferroptosis and nanomaterials for the prevention and treatment of NDDs.

Amelioration effects of the soybean lecithin-gallic acid complex on iron-overload-induced oxidative stress and liver damage in C57BL/6J mice

CONTEXT

Gallic acid (GA) and lecithin showed important roles in antioxidant and drug delivery, respectively. A complex synthesized from GA and soybean lecithin (SL-GAC), significantly improved bioavailability of GA and pharmacological activities. However, the antioxidant activity of SL-GAC and its effect on iron-overload-induced liver injury remains unexplored.

OBJECTIVE

This study investigates the antioxidant properties of SL-GAC in vitro and in mice, and its remediating effects against liver injury by iron-overloaded.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In vitro, free radical scavenging activity, lipid peroxidation inhibition, and ferric reducing power of SL-GAC were measured by absorbance photometry. In vivo, C57BL/6J mice were randomized into 4 groups: control, iron-overloaded, iron-overloaded + deferoxamine, and iron-overloaded + SL-GAC. Treatments with deferoxamine (150 mg/kg/intraperitioneally) and SL-GAC (200 mg/kg/orally) were given to the desired groups for 12 weeks, daily. Iron levels, oxidative stress, and biochemical parameters were determined by histopathological examination and molecular biological techniques.

RESULTS

In vitro, SL-GAC showed DPPH and ABTS free radicals scavenging activity with IC₅₀ values equal to 24.92 and 128.36 μg/mL, respectively. In C57BL/6J mice, SL-GAC significantly reduced the levels of serum iron (22.82%), liver iron (50.29%), aspartate transaminase (25.97%), alanine transaminase (38.07%), gamma glutamyl transferase (42.11%), malondialdehyde (19.82%), total cholesterol (45.96%), triglyceride (34.90%), ferritin light chain (18.51%) and transferrin receptor (27.39%), while up-regulated the levels of superoxide dismutase (24.69%), and glutathione (11.91%).

CONCLUSIONS

These findings encourage the use of SL-GAC to treat liver injury induced by iron-overloaded. Further in vivo and in vitro studies are needed to validate its potential in clinical medicine.

Inhibition of ferroptosis of renal tubular cells with total flavones of Abelmoschus manihot alleviates diabetic tubulopathy

Ferroptosis-related renal tubular lesions play important roles in diabetic kidney disease (DKD) progression, and these pathophysiological responses are collectively described as diabetic tubulopathy (DT), which lacks an effective treatment. Total flavones from Abelmoschus manihot (TFA), a natural extract that extensively used in patients with chronic kidney disease, has been used for treatment of renal tubular injury in DKD; however, whether TFA alleviates DT and its potential mechanisms remain unclear. Hence, we investigated the effects of TFA, compared to dapagliflozin, in DT management both in vivo and in vitro, using a DKD rat model and the NRK-52 E cells. Following modeling, the DKD rats received TFA, dapagliflozin, or vehicle for 6 weeks. For the in vitro research, the NRK-52 E cells were exposed to advanced glycation end products (AGEs) plus ferrostatin-1 (Fer-1), dapagliflozin, or TFA. Changes in biochemical parameters and renal tubular injury were analyzed in vivo, while changes in ferroptosis of renal tubular cells and the ferroptosis-related proteins expression were analyzed both in vivo and in vitro. We found that TFA and dapagliflozin improved biochemical parameters, renal tubular injury, and ferroptosis in the DKD rats. Moreover, TFA and dapagliflozin inhibited ferroptosis by ameliorating iron deposition, lipid peroxidation capacity, and ferroptosis-related proteins expression in vitro, which was similar to the effects of Fer-1. Collectively, this study demonstrated that TFA treated DT in a manner similar to dapagliflozin by inhibiting ferroptosis of renal tubular cells via improving iron deposition and antioxidant capacity. Our findings provide new pharmacological evidence for TFA application in DT treatment.

Interplay of Vitamin D, Unfolded Protein Response, and Iron Metabolism in Neuroblastoma Cells: A Therapeutic Approach in Neurodegenerative Conditions

Vitamin D3 (VD) is crucial for various cell functions, including gene regulation, antioxidant defense, and neural health. Neurodegenerative conditions are closely linked to the unfolded protein response (UPR), a mechanism reacting to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Iron metabolism is intricately associated with UPR and neurodegeneration. This study used SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells to investigate the relationship between UPR, iron metabolism, and VD. Different sequences of treatments (pre- and post-treatments) were applied using VD and thapsigargin (Tg), and various methods were used for evaluation, including real-time qPCR, Western blotting, ELISA, and iron content analysis. The findings indicate that VD affects UPR pathways, cytokine release, and iron-related genes, potentially offering anti-inflammatory benefits. It also influences iron transporters and storage proteins, helping to maintain cellular iron balance. Furthermore, pro-inflammatory cytokines like interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) were impacting UPR activation in cells. VD also influenced fractalkine (CX3CL1) gene expression and secretion, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic agent for addressing neuroinflammation and iron dysregulation. This research provides insights into the intricate connections among VD, UPR, and iron metabolism in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells, with implications for future investigations and potential therapeutic approaches in neurodegenerative diseases characterized by UPR dysregulation and iron accumulation.

Association between serum iron, blood lead, cadmium, mercury, selenium, manganese and low cognitive performance in old adults from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES): a cross-sectional study

Cognitive decline is a public health problem for the world's ageing population. This study was to evaluate the relationships between serum Fe, blood Pb, Cd, Hg, Se and Mn and cognitive decline in elderly Americans. Data of this cross-sectional study were extracted from the National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (NHANES 2011-2014). Cognitive performance was measured by the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease (CERAD), Animal Fluency and Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST) tests. Weighted univariable and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to assess the associations between six trace elements and low cognitive performance. Subgroup analyses based on diabetes and hypertension history were further assessed the associations. A total of 2002 adults over 60 years old were included. After adjusting covariates, elevated serum Fe levels were associated with the decreased risk of low cognitive performance, especially in the elderly without diabetes history and with hypertension history. High blood Cd levels were associated with the high odds of low cognitive performance in old adults with diabetes and hypertension history. Elevated blood Mn levels were connected with low cognitive performance in old hypertensive people. High blood Pb levels were related to the high odds of low cognitive performance, especially in the elderly without diabetes and hypertension history. High blood Se levels were linked to the decreased risk of low cognitive performance in all the elderly. Appropriate Fe, Se supplementation and Fe-, Se-rich foods intake, while reducing exposure to Pb, Cd and Mn may be beneficial for cognitive function in the elderly.

Iron and copper: critical executioners of ferroptosis, cuproptosis and other forms of cell death

Regulated cell death (RCD) is a regulable cell death that involves well-organized signaling cascades and molecular mechanisms. RCD is implicated in fundamental processes such as organ production and tissue remodeling, removing superfluous structures or cells, and regulating cell numbers. Previous studies have not been able to reveal the complete mechanisms, and novel methods of RCD are constantly being proposed. Two metal ions, iron (Fe) and copper (Cu) are essential factors leading to RCDs that not only induce ferroptosis and cuproptosis, respectively but also lead to cell impairment and eventually diverse cell death. This review summarizes the direct and indirect mechanisms by which Fe and Cu impede cell growth and the various forms of RCD mediated by these two metals. Moreover, we aimed to delineate the interrelationships between these RCDs with the distinct pathways of ferroptosis and cuproptosis, shedding light on the complex and intricate mechanisms that govern cellular survival and death. Finally, the prospects outlined in this review suggest a novel approach for investigating cell death, which may involve integrating current therapeutic strategies and offer a promising solution to overcome drug resistance in certain diseases. Video Abstract.

What exactly does the PfK13 C580Y mutation in Plasmodium falciparum influence?

BACKGROUND

The emergence and spread of artemisinin resistance threaten global malaria control and elimination goals, and encourage research on the mechanisms of drug resistance in malaria parasites. Mutations in Plasmodium falciparum Kelch 13 (PfK13) protein are associated with artemisinin resistance, but the unique or common mechanism which results in this resistance is unclear.

METHODS

We analyzed the effects of the PfK13 mutation on the transcriptome and proteome of P. falciparum at different developmental stages. Additionally, the number of merozoites, hemozoin amount, and growth of P. falciparum 3D7C580Y and P. falciparum 3D7WT were compared. The impact of iron supplementation on the number of merozoites of P. falciparum 3D7C580Y was also examined.

RESULTS

We found that the PfK13 mutation did not significantly change glycolysis, TCA, pentose phosphate pathway, or oxidative phosphorylation, but did reduce the expression of reproduction- and DNA synthesis-related genes. The reduced number of merozoites, decreased level of hemozoin, and slowed growth of P. falciparum 3D7C580Y were consistent with these changes. Furthermore, adding iron supply could increase the number of the merozoites of P. falciparum 3D7C580Y.

CONCLUSIONS

These results revealed that the PfK13 mutation reduced hemoglobin ingestion, leading to artemisinin resistance, likely by decreasing the parasites' requirement for haem and iron. This study helps elucidate the mechanism of artemisinin resistance due to PfK13 mutations.

Depletion of Labile Iron Induces Replication Stress and Enhances Responses to Chemoradiation in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer

The intracellular redox-active labile iron pool (LIP) is weakly chelated and available for integration into the iron metalloproteins that are involved in diverse cellular processes, including cancer cell-specific metabolic oxidative stress. Abnormal iron metabolism and elevated LIP levels are linked to the poor survival of lung cancer patients, yet the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Depletion of the LIP in non-small-cell lung cancer cell lines using the doxycycline-inducible overexpression of the ferritin heavy chain (Ft-H) (H1299 and H292), or treatment with deferoxamine (DFO) (H1299 and A549), inhibited cell growth and decreased clonogenic survival. The Ft-H overexpression-induced inhibition of H1299 and H292 cell growth was also accompanied by a significant delay in transit through the S-phase. In addition, both Ft-H overexpression and DFO in H1299 resulted in increased single- and double-strand DNA breaks, supporting the involvement of replication stress in the response to LIP depletion. The Ft-H and DFO treatment also sensitized H1299 to VE-821, an inhibitor of ataxia telangiectasis and Rad2-related (ATR) kinase, highlighting the potential of LIP depletion, combined with DNA damage response modifiers, to alter lung cancer cell responses. In contrast, only DFO treatment effectively reduced the LIP, clonogenic survival, cell growth, and sensitivity to VE-821 in A549 non-small-cell lung cancer cells. Importantly, the Ft-H and DFO sensitized both H1299 and A549 to chemoradiation in vitro, and Ft-H overexpression increased the efficacy of chemoradiation in vivo in H1299. These results support the hypothesis that the depletion of the LIP can induce genomic instability, cell death, and potentiate therapeutic responses to chemoradiation in NSCLC.

Fe(II), Mn(II), and Zn(II) Binding to the C-Terminal Region of FeoB Protein: An Insight into the Coordination Chemistry and Specificity of the Escherichia coli Fe(II) Transporter

The interactions between two peptide ligands [Ac763CCAASTTGDCH773 (P1) and Ac743RRARSRVDIELLATRKSVSSCCAASTTGDCH773 (P2)] derived from the cytoplasmic C-terminal region of Eschericha coli FeoB protein and Fe(II), Mn(II), and Zn(II) ions were investigated. The Feo system is regarded as the most important bacterial Fe(II) acquisition system, being one of the key virulence factors, especially in anaerobic conditions. Located in the inner membrane of Gram-negative bacteria, FeoB protein transports Fe(II) from the periplasm to the cytoplasm. Despite its crucial role in bacterial pathogenicity, the mechanism in which the metal ion is trafficked through the membrane is not yet elucidated. In the gammaproteobacteria class, the cytoplasmic C-terminal part of FeoB contains conserved cysteine, histidine, and glutamic and aspartic acid residues, which could play a vital role in Fe(II) binding in the cytoplasm, receiving the metal ion from the transmembrane helices. In this work, we characterized the complexes formed between the whole cytosolic C-terminal sequence of E. coli FeoB (P2) and its key polycysteine region (P1) with Fe(II), Mn(II), and Zn(II) ions, exploring the specificity of the C-terminal region of FeoB. With the help of a variety of potentiometric, spectroscopic (electron paramagnetic resonance and NMR), and spectrometric (electrospray ionization mass spectrometry) techniques and molecular dynamics, we propose the metal-binding modes of the ligands, compare their affinities toward the metal ions, and discuss the possible physiological role of the C-terminal region of E. coli FeoB.

FAM210B is dispensable for erythroid differentiation in adult mice

Iron plays a central role in cellular redox processes, but its ability to adopt multiple oxidation states also enables it to catalyze deleterious reactions. The requirement for iron in erythropoiesis has necessitated the evolution of mechanisms with which to handle the iron required for hemoglobinization. FAM210B was identified as a regulator of mitochondrial iron import and heme synthesis in erythroid cell culture and zebrafish models. In this manuscript, we demonstrate that while FAM210B is required for erythroid differentiation and heme synthesis under standard cell culture conditions, holotransferrin supplementation was sufficient to chemically complement the iron-deficient phenotype. As the biology of FAM210B is complex and context specific, and whole-organism studies on FAM210 proteins have been limited, we sought to unravel the role of FAM210B in erythropoiesis using knockout mice. We were surprised to discover that Fam210b -/- mice were viable and the adults did not have erythropoietic defects in the bone marrow. In contrast to studies in C. elegans, Fam210b -/- mice were also fertile. There were some modest phenotypes, such as a slight increase in lymphocytes and white cell count in Fam210b -/- females, as well as an increase in body weight in Fam210b -/- males. However, our findings suggest that FAM210B may play a more important role in cellular iron homeostasis under iron deficient conditions. Here, we will discuss the cell culture conditions used in iron metabolism studies that can account for the disparate finding on FAM210B function. Moving forward, resolving these discrepancies will be important in identifying novel iron homeostasis genes.

Key Nutrients for Optimal Blood Glucose Control and Mental Health in Individuals with Diabetes: A Review of the Evidence

Diabetes is associated with an increased risk of mental disorders, including depression, anxiety, and cognitive decline. Mental disorders can also contribute to the development of diabetes through various mechanisms including increased stress, poor self-care behaviors, and adverse effects on glucose metabolism. Consequently, individuals suffering from either of these conditions frequently experience comorbidity with the other. Nutrition plays an important role in both diabetes and mental health disorders including depression and anxiety. Deficiencies in specific nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, B vitamins, zinc, chromium, magnesium, and selenium have been implicated in the pathogenesis of both diabetes and mental disorders. While the impact of nutrition on the progression and control of diabetes and mental disorders is broadly acknowledged, there is a notable knowledge gap concerning the implications of distinct nutrients in preventing and mitigating symptoms of both conditions when they coexist. The aim of this study was to examine the role of nutrition in improving glucose homeostasis and promoting mental well-being among individuals with diabetes. Further, we evaluated the preventive or delaying effects of key nutrients on the simultaneous manifestation of these conditions when one of them is present. Our findings indicated that the use of personalized dietary interventions and targeted nutrient supplementation can improve metabolic and mental health outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Optical Imaging Opportunities to Inspect the Nature of Cytosolic Iron Pools

The chemical nature of intracellular labile iron pools (LIPs) is described. By virtue of the kinetic lability of these pools, it is suggested that the isolation of such species by chromatography methods will not be possible, but rather mass spectrometric techniques should be adopted. Iron-sensitive fluorescent probes, which have been developed for the detection and quantification of LIP, are described, including those specifically designed to monitor cytosolic, mitochondrial, and lysosomal LIPs. The potential of near-infrared (NIR) probes for in vivo monitoring of LIP is discussed.

The iron chelator deferriferrichrysin induces paraptosis via extracellular signal-related kinase activation in cancer cells

Cancer cells generally exhibit increased iron uptake, which contributes to their abnormal growth and metastatic ability. Iron chelators have thus recently attracted attention as potential anticancer agents. Here, we show that deferriferrichrysin (Dfcy), a natural product from Aspergillus oryzae acts as an iron chelator to induce paraptosis (a programmed cell death pathway characterized by ER dilation) in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells and H1299 human lung cancer cells. We first examined the anticancer efficacy of Dfcy in cancer cells and found that Dfcy induced ER dilation and reduced the number of viable cells. Extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK) was activated by Dfcy treatment, and the MEK inhibitor U0126, a small molecule commonly used to inhibit ERK activity, prevented the increase in ER dilation in Dfcy-treated cells. Concomitantly, the decrease in the number of viable cells upon treatment with Dfcy was attenuated by U0126. Taken together, these results demonstrate that the iron chelator Dfcy exhibits anticancer effects via induction of ERK-dependent paraptosis.

Regulation of iron metabolism and ferroptosis in cancer stem cells

The ability of cancer stem cells (CSCs) to self-renew, differentiate, and generate new tumors is a significant contributor to drug resistance, relapse, and metastasis. Therefore, the targeting of CSCs for treatment is particularly important. Recent studies have demonstrated that CSCs are more susceptible to ferroptosis than non-CSCs, indicating that this could be an effective strategy for treating tumors. Ferroptosis is a type of programmed cell death that results from the accumulation of lipid peroxides caused by intracellular iron-mediated processes. CSCs exhibit different molecular characteristics related to iron and lipid metabolism. This study reviews the alterations in iron metabolism, lipid peroxidation, and lipid peroxide scavenging in CSCs, their impact on ferroptosis, and the regulatory mechanisms underlying iron metabolism and ferroptosis. Potential treatment strategies and novel compounds targeting CSC by inducing ferroptosis are also discussed.

Thyroid hormones and minerals in immunocorrection of disorders in autoimmune thyroid diseases

Thyroid hormones and essential elements iodine (I), selenium (Se), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), etc. play an important role in the work of many organs and systems of the body, including the immune system and the thyroid gland, and a violation of their supply can be the cause of pathological changes in them. In pathology, the interaction between thyroid hormones (TG), minerals and the immune system is disturbed. The review of the literature examines the immunomodulatory role of TG, minerals, their properties, and their participation in the pathogenesis of autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITD). The study of the relationship between the excess or deficiency of minerals and AITD is described. The basis of the development of AITD - Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT), Graves' disease (GD), Graves' ophthalmopathy (GO) is the loss of immune tolerance to thyroid antigens - thyroid peroxidase (TPO), thyroglobulin (Tg) and thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor (TSH-R). Immune-mediated mechanisms - production of autoantibodies to thyroid antigens and lymphocytic thyroid infiltration - are involved in the pathogenesis of AITD. Insufficiency of regulatory T cells (Treg) and regulatory B cells (Breg), imbalance between Th17-lymphocytes and Treg-lymphocytes, abnormal production of pro-inflammatory cytokines has a significant influence on the progression of AITD. With AITD, the balance between oxidants and antioxidants is disturbed and oxidative stress (OS) occurs. The lack of modern effective pharmacological therapy of AITD prompted us to consider the mechanisms of influence, possibilities of immunocorrection of pathogenetic factors using TG, micro/macronutrients. In order to develop a more effective treatment strategy, as well as approaches to prevention, a critical analysis of the ways of immunotherapeutic use of dietary supplements of I, Se, Zn, Mg and other minerals in AITD was carried out.

The Azalea Hypothesis of Alzheimer Disease: A Functional Iron Deficiency Promotes Neurodegeneration

Chlorosis in azaleas is characterized by an interveinal yellowing of leaves that is typically caused by a deficiency of iron. This condition is usually due to the inability of cells to properly acquire iron as a consequence of unfavorable conditions, such as an elevated pH, rather than insufficient iron levels. The causes and effects of chlorosis were found to have similarities with those pertaining to a recently presented hypothesis that describes a pathogenic process in Alzheimer disease. This hypothesis states that iron becomes sequestered (e.g., by amyloid β and tau), causing a functional deficiency of iron that disrupts biochemical processes leading to neurodegeneration. Additional mechanisms that contribute to iron becoming unavailable include iron-containing structures not undergoing proper recycling (e.g., disrupted mitophagy and altered ferritinophagy) and failure to successfully translocate iron from one compartment to another (e.g., due to impaired lysosomal acidification). Other contributors to a functional deficiency of iron in patients with Alzheimer disease include altered metabolism of heme or altered production of iron-containing proteins and their partners (e.g., subunits, upstream proteins). A review of the evidence supporting this hypothesis is presented. Also, parallels between the mechanisms underlying a functional iron-deficient state in Alzheimer disease and those occurring for chlorosis in plants are discussed. Finally, a model describing the generation of a functional iron deficiency in Alzheimer disease is put forward.

Development of a Golgi-targeted fluorescent chemosensor for detecting ferrous ions overload under Golgi stress

Ferrous ion (Fe²⁺) is a crucial metal ion in the body and participates in the diseases related to oxidation and reduction. Golgi apparatus is the main subcellular organelle of Fe²⁺ transport in cells, and the stability of its structure is related to the Fe²⁺ at an appropriate concentration. In this work, a turn-on type Golgi-targeting fluorescent chemosensor Gol-Cou-Fe²⁺ was rationally designed for sensitive and selective detection of Fe²⁺. Gol-Cou-Fe²⁺ showed excellent capacity of detecting exogenous and endogenous Fe²⁺ in HUVEC and HepG2 cells. It was used to capture the up-regulated Fe²⁺ level during the hypoxia. Moreover, the fluorescence of sensor was enhanced over time under Golgi stress combining with the reduce of Golgi matrix protein GM130. However, elimination of Fe²⁺ or addition of nitric oxide (NO) would restore the fluorescence intensity of Gol-Cou-Fe²⁺ and the expression of GM130 in HUVEC. Thus, development of chemosensor Gol-Cou-Fe²⁺ provides a new window for tracking Golgi Fe²⁺ and elucidating Golgi stress-related diseases.

Disease-associated metabolic pathways affected by heavy metals and metalloid

Increased exposure to environmental heavy metals and metalloids and their associated toxicities has become a major threat to human health. Hence, the association of these metals and metalloids with chronic, age-related metabolic disorders has gained much interest. The underlying molecular mechanisms that mediate these effects are often complex and incompletely understood. In this review, we summarize the currently known disease-associated metabolic and signaling pathways that are altered following different heavy metals and metalloids exposure, alongside a brief summary of the mechanisms of their impacts. The main focus of this study is to explore how these affected pathways are associated with chronic multifactorial diseases including diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, neurodegeneration, inflammation, and allergic responses upon exposure to arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), iron (Fe), mercury (Hg), nickel (Ni), and vanadium (V). Although there is considerable overlap among the different heavy metals and metalloids-affected cellular pathways, these affect distinct metabolic pathways as well. The common pathways may be explored further to find common targets for treatment of the associated pathologic conditions.

Mitochondria hormesis delays aging and associated diseases in Caenorhabditis elegans impacting on key ferroptosis players

Excessive iron accumulation or deficiency leads to a variety of pathologies in humans and developmental arrest in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. Instead, sub-lethal iron depletion extends C. elegans lifespan. Hypoxia preconditioning protects against severe hypoxia-induced neuromuscular damage across species but it has low feasible application. In this study, we assessed the potential beneficial effects of genetic and chemical interventions acting via mild iron instead of oxygen depletion. We show that limiting iron availability in C. elegans through frataxin silencing or the iron chelator bipyridine, similar to hypoxia preconditioning, protects against hypoxia-, age-, and proteotoxicity-induced neuromuscular deficits. Mechanistically, our data suggest that the beneficial effects elicited by frataxin silencing are in part mediated by counteracting ferroptosis, a form of non-apoptotic cell death mediated by iron-induced lipid peroxidation. This is achieved by impacting on different key ferroptosis players and likely via gpx-independent redox systems. We thus point to ferroptosis inhibition as a novel potential strategy to promote healthy aging.

Structural Characterization, In Vitro Digestion Property, and Biological Activity of Sweet Corn Cob Polysaccharide Iron (III) Complexes

This study aimed to enhance the utilization value of sweet corn cob, an agricultural cereal byproduct. Sweet corn cob polysaccharide-ron (III) complexes were prepared at four different temperatures (40 °C, 50 °C, 60 °C, and 70 °C). It was demonstrated that the complexes prepared at different temperatures were successfully bound to iron (III), and there was no significant difference in chemical composition; and SCCP-Fe-C demonstrated the highest iron content. The structural characterization suggested that sweet corn cob polysaccharide (SCCP) formed stable β-FeOOH iron nuclei with −OH and −OOH. All the four complexes’ thermal stability was enhanced, especially in SCCP-Fe-C. In vitro iron (III) release experiments revealed that all four complexes were rapidly released and acted as iron (III) supplements. Moreover, in vitro antioxidant, α-glucosidase, and α-amylase inhibition studies revealed that the biological activities of all four complexes were enhanced compared with those of SCCP. SCCP-Fe-B and SCCP-Fe-C exhibited the highest in vitro antioxidant, α-glucosidase, and α-amylase inhibition abilities. This study will suggest using sweet corn cobs, a natural agricultural cereal byproduct, in functional foods. Furthermore, we proposed that the complexes prepared from agricultural byproducts can be used as a potential iron supplement.

Metals to combat antimicrobial resistance

Bacteria, similar to most organisms, have a love-hate relationship with metals: a specific metal may be essential for survival yet toxic in certain forms and concentrations. Metal ions have a long history of antimicrobial activity and have received increasing attention in recent years owing to the rise of antimicrobial resistance. The search for antibacterial agents now encompasses metal ions, nanoparticles and metal complexes with antimicrobial activity ('metalloantibiotics'). Although yet to be advanced to the clinic, metalloantibiotics are a vast and underexplored group of compounds that could lead to a much-needed new class of antibiotics. This Review summarizes recent developments in this growing field, focusing on advances in the development of metalloantibiotics, in particular, those for which the mechanism of action has been investigated. We also provide an overview of alternative uses of metal complexes to combat bacterial infections, including antimicrobial photodynamic therapy and radionuclide diagnosis of bacterial infections.

Activatable molecular fluorescence probes for the imaging and detection of ischemic stroke

The real-time, noninvasive, nonionizing, high spatiotemporal resolution, and flexibility characteristics of molecular fluorescence imaging provide a uniquely powerful approach to imaging and monitoring the physiology and pathophysiology of ischemic stroke. Currently, various fluorescence probes have been synthesized with the aim of improving quantitative and quantitative studies of the pathologic processes of ischemic stroke in living animals. In this review, we present an overview of current activatable fluorescence probes for the imaging and diagnosis of ischemic stroke in animal models. We categorize the probes based on their activatable signals from the biomarkers associated with ischemic stroke, and we present representative examples of their functional mechanisms. Finally, we briefly discuss future perspectives in this field.

Iron Homeostasis in Insects

Iron is an essential micronutrient for all types of organisms; however, iron has chemical properties that can be harmful to cells. Because iron is both necessary and potentially damaging, insects have homeostatic processes that control the redox state, quantity, and location of iron in the body. These processes include uptake of iron from the diet, intracellular and extracellular iron transport, and iron storage. Early studies of iron-binding proteins in insects suggested that insects and mammals have surprisingly different mechanisms of iron homeostasis, including different primary mechanisms for exporting iron from cells and for transporting iron from one cell to another, and subsequent studies have continued to support this view. This review summarizes current knowledge about iron homeostasis in insects, compares insect and mammalian iron homeostasis mechanisms, and calls attention to key remaining knowledge gaps.

The polyHIS Tract of Yeast AMPK Coordinates Carbon Metabolism with Iron Availability

Energy status in all eukaryotic cells is sensed by AMP-kinases. We have previously found that the poly-histidine tract at the N-terminus of S. cerevisiae AMPK (Snf1) inhibits its function in the presence of glucose via a pH-regulated mechanism. We show here that in the absence of glucose, the poly-histidine tract has a second function, linking together carbon and iron metabolism. Under conditions of iron deprivation, when different iron-intense cellular systems compete for this scarce resource, Snf1 is inhibited. The inhibition is via an interaction of the poly-histidine tract with the low-iron transcription factor Aft1. Aft1 inhibition of Snf1 occurs in the nucleus at the nuclear membrane, and only inhibits nuclear Snf1, without affecting cytosolic Snf1 activities. Thus, the temporal and spatial regulation of Snf1 activity enables a differential response to iron depending upon the type of carbon source. The linkage of nuclear Snf1 activity to iron sufficiency ensures that sufficient clusters are available to support respiratory enzymatic activity and tests mitochondrial competency prior to activation of nuclear Snf1.

Quercetin protects against iron overload-induced osteoporosis through activating the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway

AIMS

Eucommia is the tree bark of Eucommia japonica, family Eucommiaceae. In traditional Chinese medicine, Eucommia is often used to treat osteoporosis. Quercetin (QUE), a major flavonoid extract of Eucommia japonica, has been reported to have anti-osteoporosis effects. However, there are no studies reporting the mechanism of QUE in the treatment of iron overload-induced osteoporosis. This study set out to investigate the therapeutic effects of QUE against iron overload-induced bone loss and its potential molecular mechanisms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In vitro, MC3T3-E1 cells were used to study the effects of QUE on osteogenic differentiation, anti-apoptosis and anti-oxidative stress damage in an iron overload environment (FAC 200 μM). In vivo, we constructed an iron overload mouse model by injecting iron dextrose intraperitoneally and assessed the osteoprotective effects of QUE by Micro-CT and histological analysis.

KEY FINDINGS

In vitro, we found that QUE increased the ALP activity of MC3T3-E1 cells in iron overload environment, promoted the formation of bone mineralized nodules and upregulated the expression of Runx2 and Osterix. In addition, QUE was able to reduce FAC-induced apoptosis and ROS production, down-regulated the expression of Caspase3 and Bax, and up-regulated the expression of Bcl-2. In further studies, we found that QUE activated the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway and attenuated FAC-induced oxidative stress damage. The results of the in vivo study showed that QUE was able to reduce iron deposition induced by iron dextrose and attenuate bone loss.

SIGNIFICANCE

Our results suggested that QUE protects against iron overload-induced osteoporosis by activating the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway.