Newly discovered biochemical pathway can protect cells from ferroptosis
The hallmarks of cancer include rapid cell-reproduction and metabolic activity. But these processes also lead to increased cellular stress and oxidation, and the risk of cell death.
To circumvent these negative consequences of supercharged growth, cancer cells stimulate pathways to reduce oxidative stress and avoid cell death. In an article published in
Cell Metabolism, Moffitt Cancer Center researchers report on a newly discovered biochemical pathway that protects cells from a type of cell death called ferroptosis.
Ferroptosis is a specialized type of cell death that is caused by imbalances in oxidation within cells. Ferroptosis results in changes to molecules in the cell membrane called lipids and can be caused by cysteine starvation.