Compound that enhances ferroptosis of cancer cells is identified

February 9, 2022

A new inhibitor against ferroptosis suppressing protein FSP1

An international cooperative research group of RIKEN CSRS and Max Plank Institute of Molecular Physiology identified a new compound that enhances regulated cell death called “ferroptosis”.

Ferroptosis is associated with various diseases including cancer. As some types of cancer resistant to existing anti-cancer drugs have high susceptibility to ferroptosis, induction of ferroptosis has been expected as a new therapeutic strategy against cancer.

The international cooperative group identified a small molecule compound NPD4928 by screening the RIKEN NPDepo chemical library for potential inhibitors of cancer cell growth. The analysis of its action revealed that NPD4928 inhibits functions of FSP1, a ferroptosis suppressor protein.

This study results are expected to contribute to understanding molecular mechanisms of ferroptosis and developing therapies for diseases such as drug-resistant cancer.

Original article

ACS Chemical Biology doi:10.1021/acschembio.2c00028

H. Yoshioka, T. Kawamura, M. Muroi, Y. Kondoh, K. Honda, M. Kawatani, H. Aono, H. Waldmann, N. Watanabe, H. Osada,

"Identification of a Small Molecule That Enhances Ferroptosis via Inhibition of Ferroptosis Suppressor Protein 1 (FSP1)".

Contact

Hiromasa Yoshioka; Postdoctoral Researcher

Makoto Muroi; Senior Research Scientist

Hiroyuki Osada; Group Director

Chemical Biology Research Group