Hydrogen sulfide guards myoblasts from ferroptosis by inhibiting ALOX12 acetylation

Recognized as a novel and important gasotransmitter, hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is widely present in various tissues and organs. Cystathionine gamma-lyase (CSE)-derived H2S has been shown to regulate oxidative stress and lipid metabolism. The aim of the present study is to examine the role of H2S in ferroptosis and lipid peroxidation in mouse myoblasts and skeletal muscles. Ferroptosis agonist RSL3 inhibited the expressions of Gpx4 and reduced CSE/H2S signaling, which lead to increased oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation, and ferroptotic cell death. In addition, ferroptosis antagonist ferrostatin-1 (Fer-1) up-regulated the expression of CSE, scavenged the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxidation, and improved cell viability. Exogenously applied NaHS was also able to block RSL3-induced ferroptotic cell death. Neither RSL3 nor H2S affected cell apoptosis. Furthermore, H2S reversed RSL3-induced Drp1 expression and mitochondrial damage, which lead to abnormal lipid metabolism as evidenced by altered expressions of ACSL4, FAS, ACC and CPT1 as well as higher acetyl-CoA contents in both cytoplasm and mitochondria. RSL3 promoted the protein expression and acetylation of ALOX12, a key protein in initiating membrane phospholipid oxidation, while the addition of NaHS attenuated ALOX12 acetylation and protected from membrane lipid peroxidation. Moreover, we observed that CSE deficiency alters the expressions of ferroptosis and lipid peroxidation-related proteins and enhances global protein acetylation in mouse skeletal muscles under aging or injury conditions. These results indicate that downregulation of CSE/H2S signaling would contribute to mitochondrial damage, abnormal lipid metabolism, membrane lipid peroxidation, and ferroptotic cell death. CSE/H2S system can be a target for preventing ferroptosis in skeletal muscle.

Automated summary

The study highlights the important role of hydrogen sulfide in regulating ferroptosis and lipid peroxidation in mouse myoblasts and skeletal muscles. The downregulation of CSE/H2S signaling contributes to mitochondrial damage, abnormal lipid metabolism, membrane lipid peroxidation, and ferroptotic cell death, making CSE/H2S system a potential target for preventing ferroptosis in skeletal muscle.