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Iron Metabolism: From Molecular Mechanisms to Molecular Imaging

A special issue of Current Issues in Molecular Biology (ISSN 1467-3045). This special issue belongs to the section "Biochemistry, Molecular and Cellular Biology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2024 | Viewed by 6471

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
Interests: iron metabolism; molecular imaging; ferroptosis
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Guest Editor
School of Engineering Medicine, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China
Interests: cell metabolism; mitochondria; neurological disease

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Iron is essential in many physiological processes, including DNA metabolism, oxygen transport, cellular energy generation, as well as in immunity and cancer. The pathophysiology and pharmacology of iron-overload diseases, such as hereditary hemochromatosis, as well as iron-deficiency disorders, which are typically associated with anemia, are linked to deregulated iron metabolism. Moreover, the pharmacotherapies targeting the key players involved in iron metabolism also have a (pre-)clinical landscape. Molecular imaging techniques, which provide detailed information that is unattainable using other imaging modalities, are still largely under development for iron metabolism. In this Special Issue, we will focus on the molecular mechanisms and image visualization of iron metabolism, from basic to preclinical science, and discuss all related areas, such as the key molecular pathway in iron metabolism, and its application in disease treatment and detection, and the development of molecular imaging modalities and contrast agents.

Dr. Yueqi Wang
Dr. Bing Zhou
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • iron metabolism
  • molecular mechanisms
  • molecular imaging

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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18 pages, 10885 KiB  
Article
Hydrogen Attenuates Chronic Intermittent Hypoxia-Induced Cardiac Hypertrophy by Regulating Iron Metabolism
by Jixian Song, Qi Chen, Shan Xu, Yujing Gou, Yajing Guo, Cuiling Jia, Chenbing Zhao, Zhi Zhang, Boliang Li, Yashuo Zhao and Ensheng Ji
Curr. Issues Mol. Biol. 2023, 45(12), 10193-10210; https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb45120636 - 16 Dec 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1344
Abstract
The present study aimed to investigate the impact of hydrogen (H2) on chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH)-induced cardiac hypertrophy in mice by modulating iron metabolism. C57BL/6N mice were randomly allocated into four groups: control (Con), CIH, CIH + H2, and [...] Read more.
The present study aimed to investigate the impact of hydrogen (H2) on chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH)-induced cardiac hypertrophy in mice by modulating iron metabolism. C57BL/6N mice were randomly allocated into four groups: control (Con), CIH, CIH + H2, and H2. The mice were exposed to CIH (21–5% FiO2, 3 min/cycle, 8 h/d), and received inhalation of a hydrogen–oxygen mixture (2 h/d) for 5 weeks. Cardiac and mitochondrial function, levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and iron levels were evaluated. The H9C2 cell line was subjected to intermittent hypoxia (IH) and treated with H2. Firstly, we found H2 had a notable impact on cardiac hypertrophy, ameliorated pathological alterations and mitochondrial morphology induced by CIH (p < 0.05). Secondly, H2 exhibited a suppressive effect on oxidative injury by decreasing levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (i-NOS) (p < 0.05) and 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) (p < 0.01). Thirdly, H2 demonstrated a significant reduction in iron levels within myocardial cells through the upregulation of ferroportin 1 (FPN1) proteins (p < 0.01) and the downregulation of transferrin receptor 1 (TfR1), divalent metal transporter 1 with iron-responsive element (DMT1(+ire)), and ferritin light chain (FTL) mRNA or proteins (p < 0.05). Simultaneously, H2 exhibited the ability to decrease the levels of Fe2+ and ROS in H9C2 cells exposed to IH (p < 0.05). Moreover, H2 mediated the expression of hepcidin, hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) (p < 0.01), and iron regulatory proteins (IRPs), which might be involved in the regulation of iron-related transporter proteins. These results suggested that H2 may be beneficial in preventing cardiac hypertrophy, a condition associated with reduced iron toxicity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Iron Metabolism: From Molecular Mechanisms to Molecular Imaging)
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19 pages, 5984 KiB  
Article
Hydroxycitric Acid Alleviated Lung Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury by Inhibiting Oxidative Stress and Ferroptosis through the Hif-1α Pathway
by Zi-Long Lu, Cong-Kuan Song, Shi-Shi Zou, Shi-Ze Pan, Kai Lai, Ning Li and Qing Geng
Curr. Issues Mol. Biol. 2023, 45(12), 9868-9886; https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb45120616 - 8 Dec 2023
Viewed by 1236
Abstract
Lung ischemia-reperfusion injury (LIRI) is a prevalent occurrence in various pulmonary diseases and surgical procedures, including lung resections and transplantation. LIRI can result in systemic hypoxemia and multi-organ failure. Hydroxycitric acid (HCA), the primary acid present in the peel of Garcinia cambogia, exhibits [...] Read more.
Lung ischemia-reperfusion injury (LIRI) is a prevalent occurrence in various pulmonary diseases and surgical procedures, including lung resections and transplantation. LIRI can result in systemic hypoxemia and multi-organ failure. Hydroxycitric acid (HCA), the primary acid present in the peel of Garcinia cambogia, exhibits anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer properties. However, the effects of HCA on LIRI remain unknown. To investigate the impact of HCA on LIRI in mice, the mice were randomly divided into four groups: the control group, the I/R model group, and the I/R + low- or high-dose HCA groups. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were subjected to hypoxia for 12 h followed by reoxygenation for 6 h to simulate in vitro LIRI. The results demonstrated that administration of HCA effectively attenuated lung injury, inflammation, and edema induced by ischemia reperfusion. Moreover, HCA treatment significantly reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels while decreasing iron content and increasing superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels after ischemia-reperfusion insult. Mechanistically, HCA administration significantly inhibited Hif-1α and HO-1 upregulation both in vivo and in vitro. We found that HCA could also alleviate endothelial barrier damage in H/R-induced HUVECs in a concentration-dependent manner. In addition, overexpression of Hif-1α counteracted HCA-mediated inhibition of H/R-induced endothelial cell ferroptosis. In summary, these results indicate that HCA alleviated LIRI by inhibiting oxidative stress and ferroptosis through the Hif-1α pathway. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Iron Metabolism: From Molecular Mechanisms to Molecular Imaging)
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Review

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15 pages, 2236 KiB  
Review
Ferredoxins: Functions, Evolution, Potential Applications, and Challenges of Subtype Classification
by Khajamohiddin Syed
Curr. Issues Mol. Biol. 2024, 46(9), 9659-9673; https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb46090574 - 1 Sep 2024
Viewed by 368
Abstract
Ferredoxins are proteins found in all biological kingdoms and are involved in essential biological processes including photosynthesis, lipid metabolism, and biogeochemical cycles. Ferredoxins are classified into different groups based on the iron-sulfur (Fe-S) clusters that they contain. A new subtype classification and nomenclature [...] Read more.
Ferredoxins are proteins found in all biological kingdoms and are involved in essential biological processes including photosynthesis, lipid metabolism, and biogeochemical cycles. Ferredoxins are classified into different groups based on the iron-sulfur (Fe-S) clusters that they contain. A new subtype classification and nomenclature system, based on the spacing between amino acids in the Fe-S binding motif, has been proposed in order to better understand ferredoxins’ biological diversity and evolutionary linkage across different organisms. This new classification system has revealed an unparalleled diversity between ferredoxins and has helped identify evolutionarily linked ferredoxins between species. The current review provides the latest insights into ferredoxin functions and evolution, and the new subtype classification, outlining their potential biotechnological applications and the future challenges in streamlining the process. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Iron Metabolism: From Molecular Mechanisms to Molecular Imaging)
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21 pages, 4162 KiB  
Review
Elucidating Iron Metabolism through Molecular Imaging
by Feifei Liao, Wenwen Yang, Linzi Long, Ruotong Yu, Hua Qu, Yuxuan Peng, Jieming Lu, Chenghuan Ren, Yueqi Wang and Changgeng Fu
Curr. Issues Mol. Biol. 2024, 46(4), 2798-2818; https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb46040175 - 22 Mar 2024
Viewed by 1246
Abstract
Iron is essential for many physiological processes, and the dysregulation of its metabolism is implicated in the pathogenesis of various diseases. Recent advances in iron metabolism research have revealed multiple complex pathways critical for maintaining iron homeostasis. Molecular imaging, an interdisciplinary imaging technique, [...] Read more.
Iron is essential for many physiological processes, and the dysregulation of its metabolism is implicated in the pathogenesis of various diseases. Recent advances in iron metabolism research have revealed multiple complex pathways critical for maintaining iron homeostasis. Molecular imaging, an interdisciplinary imaging technique, has shown considerable promise in advancing research on iron metabolism. Here, we comprehensively review the multifaceted roles of iron at the cellular and systemic levels (along with the complex regulatory mechanisms of iron metabolism), elucidate appropriate imaging methods, and summarize their utility and fundamental principles in diagnosing and treating diseases related to iron metabolism. Utilizing molecular imaging technology to deeply understand the complexities of iron metabolism and its critical role in physiological and pathological processes offers new possibilities for early disease diagnosis, treatment monitoring, and the development of novel therapies. Despite technological limitations and the need to ensure the biological relevance and clinical applicability of imaging results, molecular imaging technology’s potential to reveal the iron metabolic process is unparalleled, providing new insights into the link between iron metabolism abnormalities and various diseases. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Iron Metabolism: From Molecular Mechanisms to Molecular Imaging)
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14 pages, 669 KiB  
Review
Ferroptosis: An Emerging Target for Bladder Cancer Therapy
by Zhengda Shan, Wenbin Tang, Zhiyuan Shi and Tao Shan
Curr. Issues Mol. Biol. 2023, 45(10), 8201-8214; https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb45100517 - 10 Oct 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1675
Abstract
Bladder cancer (BC), as one of the main urological cancers in the world, possesses the abilities of multiple-drug resistance and metastasis. However, there remains a significant gap in the understanding and advancement of prognosis and therapeutic strategies for BC. Ferroptosis, a novel type [...] Read more.
Bladder cancer (BC), as one of the main urological cancers in the world, possesses the abilities of multiple-drug resistance and metastasis. However, there remains a significant gap in the understanding and advancement of prognosis and therapeutic strategies for BC. Ferroptosis, a novel type of iron-dependent regulated cell death, depends on lipid peroxidation, which has been proven to have a strong correlation with the development and treatment of BC. Its mechanism mainly includes three pathways, namely, lipid peroxidation, the antioxidant system, and the iron overload pathway. In this review, we reviewed the mechanism of ferroptosis, along with the related therapeutic targets and drugs for BC, as it might become a new anticancer treatment in the future. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Iron Metabolism: From Molecular Mechanisms to Molecular Imaging)
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