Gastric cancer (GC) is a prevalent gastrointestinal malignancy in which ferroptosis, mitochondrial dysfunction, and macrophage reprogramming remarkably contribute to disease progression. However, the molecular interplay among these processes in contributing to GC remains poorly understood. In this study, we identified ferroptosis- and mitochondrial dysfunction-related genes (FMDRGs) implicated in GC through bioinformatics analyses. Among them, aldehyde dehydrogenase 3 family member A2 (ALDH3A2) was identified as a key FMDRG significantly downregulated in GC tissues and cell lines. Functional assays revealed that ALDH3A2 overexpression in GC cell lines suppressed proliferation, migration, and invasion while enhancing ferroptosis, effects that were reversed by GPX4 overexpression. ALDH3A2 also impaired the mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPR mt ) and induced mitochondrial dysfunction. Restoration of UPR mt ameliorated ALDH3A2-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and ferroptosis. Mechanistically, ALDH3A2 impaired UPR mt by downregulating SLC47A1 through blockade of NRF2 nuclear translocation, leading to mitochondrial dysfunction, GPX4 downregulation, lipid peroxidation, and subsequent ferroptosis. Synergistically, ALDH3A2-induced ferroptosis promoted IL-6 release, which drove macrophage polarization toward the M1 phenotype with elevated IL-1β production. This macrophage reprogramming, in turn, inhibited GC cell progression by downregulating PD-L1 expression. Therapeutically, both genistein treatment and ALDH3A2 overexpression significantly attenuated GC progression in vitro and in vivo. These findings elucidate ALDH3A2 as a dual regulator of tumor-intrinsic ferroptosis and tumor-extrinsic immune remodeling in contributing to GC pathogenesis, highlighting its potential as a promising therapeutic target in GC.
Wang Ding,Luo Shulei,Yu Rongji,Wen Doudou,Jiang Hao,Xu Keli,Di Xiaotang,Zhang Shubing
Background Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), characterized by its aggressive clinical behavior and propensity for distant metastasis, presents critical challenges in therapeutic management. Emerging evidence implicates lipid metabolic reprogramming as a key facilitator of tumor progression and metastatic dissemination. However, the precise molecular mechanisms underlying lipid metabolic dysregulation in TNBC metastasis remain poorly characterized. Our work systematically elucidates the mechanistic role of ALDH3A2 in orchestrating lipid metabolic adaptations that drive breast cancer metastasis. Methods Transcriptomic analysis of clinical datasets identified metastasis-related metabolic regulators. Cellular migration/invasion assays and murine metastasis models were utilized to assess metastatic effects of ALDH3A2. Lipidomic profiling coupled with pathway analysis characterized metabolic alterations. Mechanistic studies integrated western blot analysis with lipid droplet quantification. Computational approaches including structure-based virtual screening and molecular docking simulations were employed for inhibitor discovery. Results ALDH3A2 was significantly upregulated in TNBC clinical specimens and showed significant association with adverse clinical outcomes. Functional validation confirmed that ALDH3A2 potentiates TNBC cell migration/invasion through epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) activation. Metabolic profiling revealed ALDH3A2-driven lipid accumulation, evidenced by increased lipid droplet formation and elevated triglyceride levels. Specifically, arachidonic acid (AA) enrichment was observed in ALDH3A2-overexpressing cells, corresponding to enhanced glycerophospholipid metabolism. Mechanistic studies demonstrated that ALDH3A2-mediated AMP/ATP imbalance suppresses AMPK phosphorylation while activating mTOR/SREBP1 signaling. mTOR inhibition effectively attenuated ALDH3A2-induced lipid metabolic alterations. Importantly, oxaliplatin was identified as a potential therapeutic agent targeting ALDH3A2-mediated AA metabolism to suppress metastasis. Conclusions Our work establishes ALDH3A2 as a pivotal regulator of lipid metabolic reprogramming in TNBC metastasis, providing mechanistic insights into AA-mediated tumor progression. These findings position ALDH3A2 as a promising therapeutic target and prognostic biomarker for TNBC management.
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