GPX4: The hub of lipid oxidation, ferroptosis, disease and treatment

Glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPx4) moonlights as structural protein and antioxidase that powerfully inhibits lipid oxidation. In the past years, it is considered as a key regulator of ferroptosis, which takes role in the lipid and amine acid metabolism and influences the cell aging, oncogenesis, and cell death. More and more evidences show that targeting GPX4-induced ferroptosis is a promising strategy for disease therapy, especially cancer treatment. In view of these, we generalize the function of GPX4 and regulatory mechanism between GPX4 and ferroptosis, discuss its roles in the disease pathology, and focus on the recent advances of disease therapeutic potential.

Automated summary

Glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPx4) functions as a structural protein and antioxidase, effectively inhibiting lipid oxidation. It is considered a crucial regulator of ferroptosis, playing a role in lipid and amino acid metabolism and impacting cell aging, oncogenesis, and cell death. Increasing evidence suggests that targeting GPX4-induced ferroptosis holds promise as a strategy for disease therapy, particularly cancer treatment. In this review, we summarize the function of GPX4, its regulatory mechanism in ferroptosis, discuss its role in disease pathology, and highlight recent advances in disease therapeutic potential.