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USP8/GPX4-based live-cell quantitative FRET imaging for ferroptosis drug screening
Xinghong Cai1, Ziru Wu1, Zhiyu Xiao1
1MOE Key Laboratory of Laser Life Science & Institute of Laser Life Science, College of Biophotonics, School of Optoelectronic Science and Engineering, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Laser Life Science, College of Biophotonics, School of Optoelectronic Science and Engineering, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China.
Abstract:
Targeting the functional interface between USP8 and GPX4 to disrupt ferroptosis defense represents a novel therapeutic strategy in cancer. Currently, there is a lack of drug screening models targeting the USP8/GPX4 interaction. This study utilized human breast cancer cell lines as a research model and established a drug screening platform capable of real-time, quantitative detection of USP8/GPX4 interactions in live cells based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) imaging technology. We first confirmed that USP8 promotes malignant growth in breast cancer cells. Using the USP8 inhibitor DUB-IN-2 as a positive control alongside key ferroptosis markers, we employed FRET technology to quantitatively assess the interaction efficiency (ED) between USP8 and GPX4. Screening of candidate compounds revealed that treatment with ML162, RSL3, and sorafenib resulted in maximum FRET efficiencies (EDmax) of 0.492, 0.483, and 0.503, respectively-significantly lower than that of control cells (0.548)-indicating effective disruption of USP8/GPX4 binding. This study successfully establishes a novel and efficient FRET-based drug screening model for targeting ferroptosis.
Insights
Researchers developed a new FRET-based drug screening model to target the USP8 and GPX4 interaction, crucial for cancer ferroptosis defense. This platform enables quantitative assessment of drug efficacy in disrupting this interaction.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- USP8 (ubiquitin-specific protease 8) plays a role in cancer cell growth.
- GPX4 (glutathione peroxidase 4) is a key regulator of ferroptosis, a form of programmed cell death.
- Targeting the USP8-GPX4 interaction is a potential anti-cancer therapeutic strategy, but lacks specific screening models.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish a novel drug screening platform for targeting the USP8-GPX4 interaction in breast cancer.
- To quantitatively assess the disruption of USP8-GPX4 binding by candidate compounds using fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET).
Main Methods:
- Development of a FRET-based assay using human breast cancer cell lines to monitor USP8-GPX4 interactions in real-time.
- Validation of the assay using a known USP8 inhibitor (DUB-IN-2) and ferroptosis markers.
- Screening of compounds ML162, RSL3, and sorafenib for their ability to disrupt USP8-GPX4 binding.
Main Results:
- USP8 was confirmed to promote malignant growth in breast cancer cells.
- The FRET assay successfully quantified the interaction efficiency (ED) between USP8 and GPX4.
- ML162, RSL3, and sorafenib significantly reduced FRET efficiency (EDmax values of 0.492, 0.483, and 0.503, respectively) compared to controls (0.548), indicating disruption of USP8-GPX4 binding.
Conclusions:
- A novel, efficient, and quantitative FRET-based drug screening model for targeting the USP8-GPX4 interaction in cancer was successfully established.
- This platform facilitates the discovery of novel therapeutic agents that disrupt ferroptosis defense mechanisms in cancer cells.
