Ferroptosis is a form of regulated cell death driven by oxidative injury promoting lipid peroxidation, although detailed molecular regulators are largely unknown. Here we show that heat shock 70kDa protein 5 (HSPA5) negatively regulates ferroptosis in human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cells. Mechanistically, activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4) resulted in the induction of HSPA5, which in turn bound glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) and protected against GPX4 protein degradation and subsequent lipid peroxidation. Importantly, the HSPA5-GPX4 pathway mediated ferroptosis resistance, limiting the anticancer activity of gemcitabine. Genetic or pharmacological inhibition of the HSPA5-GPX4 pathway enhanced gemcitabine sensitivity by disinhibiting ferroptosis in vitro and in both subcutaneous and orthotopic animal models of PDAC. Collectively, these findings identify a novel role of HSPA5 in ferroptosis and suggest a potential therapeutic strategy for overcoming gemcitabine resistance.

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Human lung tumors aberrantly express the 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3)-catabolizing enzyme, CYP24. We hypothesized that CYP24 reduces 1,25(OH)2D3-mediated transcription and allows lung cancer cells to escape its growth-inhibitory action. To test this, H292 lung cancer cells and the CYP24-selective inhibitor CTA091 were utilized. In H292 cells, CTA091 reduces 1,25(OH)2D3 catabolism, significantly increases 1,25(OH)2D3-mediated growth inhibition, and increases 1,25(OH)2D3 effects on induced and repressed genesin gene expression profiling studies. Pathway mapping of repressed genes uncovered cell cycle as a predominant 1,25(OH)2D3 target. In H292 cells, 1,25(OH)2D3 significantly decreases cyclin E2 levels and induces G0/G1 arrest. A broader set of cyclins is down-regulated when 1,25(OH)2D3 is combined with CTA091, and cell cycle arrest further increases. Effects of CTA091 on 1,25(OH)2D3 signaling are vitamin D receptor-dependent. These data provide evidence that CYP24 limits 1,25(OH)2D3 anti-proliferative signaling in cancer cells, and suggest that CTA091 may be beneficial in preserving 1,25(OH)2D3 action in lung cancer.

Prostate cancer is the second most common cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. The mucin 1 (MUC1) oncoprotein is highly expressed in human prostate cancers with aggressive features. However, the role for MUC1 in occurrence and progression of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) remained elusive. In this study, we showed that solamargine, a major steroidal alkaloid glycoside, inhibited the growth of CRPC cells, which was enhanced in the presence of metformin. Furthermore, we found that solamargine increased phosphorylation of AMPKα, whereas reducing the protein expression and promoter activity of MUC1. A greater effect was observed in the presence of metformin. In addition, solamargine reduced NF-κB subunit p65 protein expression. Exogenously expressed p65 resisted solamargine-reduced MUC1 protein and promoter activity. Interestingly, exogenously expressed MUC1 attenuated solamargine-stimulated phosphorylation of AMPKα and, more importantly reversed solamargine-inhibited cell growth. Finally, solamargine increased phosphorylation of AMPKα, while inhibiting MUC1, p65 and tumor growth were observed in vivo. Overall, our results show that solamargine inhibits the growth of CRPC cells through AMPKα-mediated inhibition of p65, followed by reduction of MUC1 expression in vitro and in vivo. More importantly, metformin facilitates the antitumor effect of solamargine on CRPC cells.