Golgi protein ACBD3 downregulation sensitizes cells to ferroptosis

Abstract

Ferroptosis, a form of cell death driven by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation, is emerging as a promising target in cancer therapy. It is regulated by a network of molecules and pathways that modulate lipid metabolism, iron homeostasis and redox balance, and related processes. However, there are still numerous regulatory molecules intricately involved in ferroptosis that remain to be identified. Here, we indicated that suppression of Golgi protein acyl-coenzyme A binding domain A containing 3 (ACBD3) increased the sensitivity of Henrieta Lacks and PANC1 cells to ferroptosis. ACBD3 knockdown increases labile iron levels by promoting ferritinophagy. This increase in free iron, coupled with reduced levels of glutathione peroxidase 4 due to ACBD3 knockdown, leads to the accumulation of reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxides. Moreover, ACBD3 knockdown also results in elevated levels of polyunsaturated fatty acid-containing glycerophospholipids through mechanisms that remain to be elucidated. Furthermore, inhibition of ferrtinophagy in ACBD3 downregulated cells by knocking down the nuclear receptor co-activator 4 or Bafilomycin A1 treatment impeded ferroptosis. Collectively, our findings highlight the pivotal role of ACBD3 in governing cellular resistance to ferroptosis and suggest that pharmacological manipulation of ACBD3 levels is a promising strategy for cancer therapy.