Magdalena Murray

All Publications

• Ferroptosis regulation by Cap'n'collar family transcription factors. The Journal of biological chemistry Murray, M. B., Dixon, S. J. 2024: 107583

  Abstract

  Ferroptosis is an iron-dependent cell death mechanism that may be important to prevent tumor formation and useful as a target for new cancer therapies. Transcriptional networks play a crucial role in shaping ferroptosis sensitivity by regulating the expression of transporters, metabolic enzymes, and other proteins. The Cap'n'collar (CNC) protein nuclear factor erythroid 2 like 2 (NFE2L2, also known as NRF2) is a key regulator of ferroptosis in many cells and contexts. Emerging evidence indicates that the related CNC family members BTB and CNC homology 1 (BACH1) and nuclear factor erythroid 2 like 1 (NFE2L1) also have non-redundant roles in ferroptosis regulation. Here, we comprehensively review the role of CNC transcription factors in governing cellular sensitivity to ferroptosis. We describe how CNC family members regulate ferroptosis sensitivity through modulation of iron, lipid, and redox metabolism. We also use examples of ferroptosis regulation by CNC proteins to illustrate the flexible and highly context-dependent nature of the ferroptosis mechanism between cells and conditions.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.107583

  View details for PubMedID 39025451

• Protocol for detection of ferroptosis in cultured cells. STAR protocols Murray, M. B., Leak, L. B., Lee, W. C., Dixon, S. J. 2023; 4 (3): 102457

  Abstract

  Mammalian cells can die by apoptosis or by one of several non-apoptotic mechanisms, such as ferroptosis. Here, we present a protocol to distinguish ferroptosis from other cell death mechanisms in cultured cells. We describe steps for seeding cells, administering mechanism-specific cell death inducers and inhibitors, and measuring cell death and viability. We then detail the use of molecular markers to verify mechanisms of cell death. This protocol can be used to identify and distinguish ferroptosis in 2D and 3D cultures. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Ko, et al. (2019),1 Magtanong, et al. (2022),2 and Armenta, et al. (2022).3.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.xpro.2023.102457

  View details for PubMedID 37556320

• Ferroptosis regulation by the NGLY1/NFE2L1 pathway. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America Forcina, G. C., Pope, L., Murray, M., Dong, W., Abu-Remaileh, M., Bertozzi, C. R., Dixon, S. J. 2022; 119 (11): e2118646119

  Abstract

  SignificanceFerroptosis is an oxidative form of cell death whose biochemical regulation remains incompletely understood. Cap'n'collar (CNC) transcription factors including nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 1 (NFE2L1/NRF1) and NFE2L2/NRF2 can both regulate oxidative stress pathways but are each regulated in a distinct manner, and whether these two transcription factors can regulate ferroptosis independent of one another is unclear. We find that NFE2L1 can promote ferroptosis resistance, independent of NFE2L2, by maintaining the expression of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), a key protein that prevents lethal lipid peroxidation. NFE2L2 can also promote ferroptosis resistance but does so through a distinct mechanism that appears independent of GPX4 protein expression. These results suggest that NFE2L1 and NFE2L2 independently regulate ferroptosis.

  View details for DOI 10.1073/pnas.2118646119

  View details for PubMedID 35271393