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Author Spotlight: Tracing the Ferroptotic Signatures and Cell Death Dynamics in Medulloblastoma for Advanced Therapeutics
Published on: March 15, 2024
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pH-regulated nuclear F-actin assembly during ferroptosis
Menghao Qiao1, Zhipeng Yan1, Jiewei Huang1
1Key Laboratory of Regenerative Medicine of Ministry of Education, Institute of Aging and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Developmental and Regenerative Medicine, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.
Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology
|December 26, 2025
Summary
Nuclear actin assembly occurs during ferroptosis, driven by intracellular acidification and nuclear import. This process is a consequence, not a cause, of cell death.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Ferroptosis is an iron-dependent cell death pathway.
- Nuclear actin dynamics regulate nuclear functions, but their role in ferroptosis is unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the behavior of nuclear filamentous actin (F-actin) during ferroptosis.
Main Methods:
- RSL3 treatment to induce ferroptosis in HT-1080 cells.
- Visualization of nuclear F-actin using phalloidin, SiR-actin, anti-Actin staining, and live imaging of a nuclear actin chromobody.
- Assessed the role of Importin-9 (IPO9) and intracellular pH.
Main Results:
- Nuclear F-actin assembled during RSL3-induced ferroptosis.
- Nuclear G-actin increased, and IPO9 knockdown reduced nuclear F-actin, suggesting import dependence.
- Intracellular acidification promoted nuclear F-actin assembly, while extracellular alkaline conditions suppressed it.
Conclusions:
- Nuclear F-actin assembly during ferroptosis is driven by cytoplasmic actin remodeling, nuclear import, and intracellular acidification.
- Nuclear F-actin is a concomitant feature, not a causative driver, of ferroptosis.
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