Bacterial ferroptosis

Bacterial ferroptosis refers to an iron-dependent, regulated form of cell death in bacteria that shares key biochemical hallmarks with eukaryotic ferroptosis, specifically lipid peroxidation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation [1, 13]. While bacteria lack some of the complex pathways found in eukaryotic cells, specific species such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Vibrio vulnificus exhibit ferroptosis-like responses triggered by iron overload or the activity of lipoxygenases like pLoxA [1, 9, 13]. This pathway is typically antagonized by antioxidant systems involving glutathione and iron-regulatory proteins such as the Ferric Uptake Regulator (Fur) [1, 13]. Inducing bacterial ferroptosis is being explored as a novel antimicrobial strategy to combat multidrug-resistant pathogens by bypassing traditional resistance mechanisms associated with cell wall or protein synthesis inhibitors [1, 2]. However, the therapeutic application is challenged by the need for high specificity to avoid inducing ferroptosis in host tissues and the potential for toxicity associated with altering systemic iron levels [1, 6]. Current research is focused on characterizing the unique molecular mediators in prokaryotes to develop selective ferroptosis inducers as next-generation antibiotics [1, 13].

Other names

Ferroptosis-like cell death in bacteriaBacterial iron-dependent cell deathPro-oxidative bacterial deathBacterial iron death

Induction of iron-dependent lipid peroxidation and accumulation of reactive oxygen species leading to irreversible damage of the bacterial cell membrane and subsequent cell death [1, 13].