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Regulation of Ferroptosis Sensitivity in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells by Lysosomal Ion Channels TPC2 and TRPML1

Abstract:
Ferroptosis is an iron-dependent, lipid peroxidation-driven form of regulated cell death that has emerged as a therapeutic vulnerability in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), yet the contribution of lysosomes to this process remains incompletely understood. In this study, we investigated whether lysosomal ion channels regulate ferroptosis sensitivity in HCC cells, focusing on the two-pore channel 2 (TPC2) and the transient receptor potential mucolipin 1 (TRPML1). Using pharmacological modulation, genetic knockout models, flow cytometry-based cell death and lipid peroxidation assays, lipidomics, calcium measurements, and molecular analyses across multiple HCC cell lines, we examined how these channels influence ferroptotic signaling. We show that NAADP-dependent TPC2 activity is required for efficient ferroptosis induction, whereas TPC2 loss renders HCC cells resistant to ferroptosis triggered by system Xc- inhibition or glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4)blockade. This resistance is associated with reduced lipid peroxidation, altered calcium signaling, and selective depletion of polyunsaturated phosphatidylethanolamine species linked to decreased Acyl-CoA Synthetase Long-Chain Family Member 4 (ACSL4) expression. In contrast, TRPML1 deficiency sensitizes cells to ferroptosis and correlates with enhanced endoplasmic reticulum stress and oxidative imbalance rather than major lipid remodeling. Collectively, these findings identify lysosomal ion channels as key modulators of ferroptosis in HCC and highlight distinct mechanisms by which TPC2 and TRPML1 regulate cellular redox balance and death susceptibility.
Publication status:
Published
Peer review status:
Peer reviewed

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Publisher copy:
10.3390/antiox15050618

Authors

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Role:
Author
ORCID:
0009-0008-4980-257X
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Role:
Author
ORCID:
0000-0002-0685-7633
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Institution:
University of Oxford
Role:
Author
ORCID:
0000-0002-0177-5559


Publisher:
MDPI
Journal:
Antioxidants More from this journal
Volume:
15
Issue:
5
Pages:
618-618
Publication date:
2026-05-13
DOI:
EISSN:
2076-3921
ISSN:
2076-3921


Language:
English
Keywords:
Pubs id:
2428664
Local pid:
pubs:2428664
Source identifiers:
W7161821370
Deposit date:
2026-06-03
ARK identifier:
This ORA record was generated from metadata provided by an external service. It has not been edited by the ORA Team.

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