ACSL4 at the helm of the lipid peroxidation ship: a deep-sea exploration towards ferroptosis

Lipid peroxidation stands as a prominent hallmark and a prerequisite for the onset of ferroptosis. Lipid metabolism holds a pivotal role in regulating this process, forming the metabolic foundation for cellular sensitivity to ferroptosis. Studies in lipid metabolomics reveal that the activation of P...

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Main Authors: Yulang Jiang, Meng Zhang, Mingyu Sun
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-08-01
Series:Frontiers in Pharmacology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2025.1594419/full
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author Yulang Jiang
Yulang Jiang
Yulang Jiang
Meng Zhang
Meng Zhang
Meng Zhang
Mingyu Sun
Mingyu Sun
Mingyu Sun
author_facet Yulang Jiang
Yulang Jiang
Yulang Jiang
Meng Zhang
Meng Zhang
Meng Zhang
Mingyu Sun
Mingyu Sun
Mingyu Sun
author_sort Yulang Jiang
collection DOAJ
description Lipid peroxidation stands as a prominent hallmark and a prerequisite for the onset of ferroptosis. Lipid metabolism holds a pivotal role in regulating this process, forming the metabolic foundation for cellular sensitivity to ferroptosis. Studies in lipid metabolomics reveal that the activation of Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), specifically arachidonic acid and adrenoic acid (AdA), mediated by acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 4 (ACSL4), represents a critical step in generating lipid peroxidation substrates. The expression level or enzymatic activity of ACSL4 emerges as a potential indicator of cellular susceptibility to ferroptosis. Additionally, other members of the ACSL family can indirectly influence the occurrence of ferroptosis by modifying the fatty acid composition of the cell membrane. Given the high expression of ACSL4 in various human tumors, targeting lipid peroxidation with ACSL4 as the focal point may pave a new path in tumor therapy. This article provides a brief overview of the primary structure and function of ACSL4, its role in lipid peroxidation, and summarizes the current advancements in drug development targeting ACSL4 and lipid peroxidation.
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institution Kabale University
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publishDate 2025-08-01
publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
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series Frontiers in Pharmacology
spelling doaj-art-568e4e80388e4093aa279e7d7db062d42025-08-26T05:27:54ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Pharmacology1663-98122025-08-011610.3389/fphar.2025.15944191594419ACSL4 at the helm of the lipid peroxidation ship: a deep-sea exploration towards ferroptosisYulang Jiang0Yulang Jiang1Yulang Jiang2Meng Zhang3Meng Zhang4Meng Zhang5Mingyu Sun6Mingyu Sun7Mingyu Sun8Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, ChinaShanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, ChinaKey Laboratory of Liver and Kidney Diseases, Institute of Liver Diseases, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, ChinaShuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, ChinaShanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, ChinaKey Laboratory of Liver and Kidney Diseases, Institute of Liver Diseases, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, ChinaShuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, ChinaShanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, ChinaKey Laboratory of Liver and Kidney Diseases, Institute of Liver Diseases, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, ChinaLipid peroxidation stands as a prominent hallmark and a prerequisite for the onset of ferroptosis. Lipid metabolism holds a pivotal role in regulating this process, forming the metabolic foundation for cellular sensitivity to ferroptosis. Studies in lipid metabolomics reveal that the activation of Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), specifically arachidonic acid and adrenoic acid (AdA), mediated by acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 4 (ACSL4), represents a critical step in generating lipid peroxidation substrates. The expression level or enzymatic activity of ACSL4 emerges as a potential indicator of cellular susceptibility to ferroptosis. Additionally, other members of the ACSL family can indirectly influence the occurrence of ferroptosis by modifying the fatty acid composition of the cell membrane. Given the high expression of ACSL4 in various human tumors, targeting lipid peroxidation with ACSL4 as the focal point may pave a new path in tumor therapy. This article provides a brief overview of the primary structure and function of ACSL4, its role in lipid peroxidation, and summarizes the current advancements in drug development targeting ACSL4 and lipid peroxidation.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2025.1594419/fullACSL4lipid peroxidationferroptosispolyunsaturated fatty acidscancers
spellingShingle Yulang Jiang
Yulang Jiang
Yulang Jiang
Meng Zhang
Meng Zhang
Meng Zhang
Mingyu Sun
Mingyu Sun
Mingyu Sun
ACSL4 at the helm of the lipid peroxidation ship: a deep-sea exploration towards ferroptosis
Frontiers in Pharmacology
ACSL4
lipid peroxidation
ferroptosis
polyunsaturated fatty acids
cancers
title ACSL4 at the helm of the lipid peroxidation ship: a deep-sea exploration towards ferroptosis
title_full ACSL4 at the helm of the lipid peroxidation ship: a deep-sea exploration towards ferroptosis
title_fullStr ACSL4 at the helm of the lipid peroxidation ship: a deep-sea exploration towards ferroptosis
title_full_unstemmed ACSL4 at the helm of the lipid peroxidation ship: a deep-sea exploration towards ferroptosis
title_short ACSL4 at the helm of the lipid peroxidation ship: a deep-sea exploration towards ferroptosis
title_sort acsl4 at the helm of the lipid peroxidation ship a deep sea exploration towards ferroptosis
topic ACSL4
lipid peroxidation
ferroptosis
polyunsaturated fatty acids
cancers
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2025.1594419/full
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