Hydropersulfides inhibit lipid peroxidation and ferroptosis by scavenging radicals

Ferroptosis is a type of cell death caused by radical-driven lipid peroxidation, leading to membrane damage and rupture. Here we show that enzymatically produced sulfane sulfur (S-0) species, specifically hydropersulfides, scavenge endogenously generated free radicals and, thereby, suppress lipid peroxidation and ferroptosis. By providing sulfur for S-0 biosynthesis, cysteine can support ferroptosis resistance independently of the canonical GPX4 pathway. Our results further suggest that hydropersulfides terminate radical chain reactions through the formation and self-recombination of perthiyl radicals. The autocatalytic regeneration of hydropersulfides may explain why low micromolar concentrations of persulfides suffice to produce potent cytoprotective effects on a background of millimolar concentrations of glutathione. We propose that increased S-0 biosynthesis is an adaptive cellular response to radical-driven lipid peroxidation, potentially representing a primordial radical protection system.

Automated summary

Ferroptosis is a type of cell death caused by radical-driven lipid peroxidation. Our study shows that sulfane sulfur species, particularly hydropersulfides, scavenge free radicals and suppress ferroptosis. Cysteine can support ferroptosis resistance independently of the GPX4 pathway by providing sulfur for S-0 biosynthesis.