Targeting TRIM31 to Boost Ferroptosis: A Promising Approach for Esophageal Cancer Therapy

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is among the most lethal malignancies worldwide, with a five-year survival rate below 20%. Ferroptosis-a regulated form of cell death driven by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation-has emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy, yet its regulation in ESCC remains poorly understood. We investigated the role of tripartite motif-containing 31 (TRIM31), an E3 ubiquitin ligase, in ESCC progression and ferroptosis.

TRIM31 expression was significantly elevated in ESCC tissues compared with normal esophageal tissues (The Cancer Genome Atlas and Genotype-Tissue Expression datasets; p < 0.001) and correlated with advanced Tumor, Node, and Metastasis (TNM) stage (p = 0.004), lymph node metastasis (p = 0.024), and poor overall survival (p = 0.0027). Functional assays revealed that TRIM31 knockdown reduced ESCC cell proliferation, impaired colony formation, and suppressed migration (p < 0.01). In vivo, TRIM31 silencing decreased xenograft tumor volume by over 70% and Ki-67 expression by 73%. Mechanistically, TRIM31 directly interacted with VDAC1 via its coiled-coil domain, promoting VDAC1 ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation. This interaction inhibited ferroptosis, as evidenced by increased lipid reactive oxygen species, elevated intracellular Fe²⁺ levels, and mitochondrial damage upon TRIM31 knockdown. Conversely, TRIM31 overexpression attenuated ferroptosis induced by RSL3. We further identified hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 alpha as a transcriptional activator of TRIM31, binding to its promoter region. Importantly, TRIM31 knockdown synergized with the ferroptosis inducer imidazole ketone erastin, achieving a 90% reduction in tumor growth without significant toxicity.

TRIM31 promotes ESCC progression by degrading VDAC1 and suppressing ferroptosis. Targeting TRIM31 enhances ferroptosis-based therapy and represents a novel, clinically actionable strategy for ESCC treatment. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 44, 550-571.