PLoS Genetics (Sep 2019)

Ferritin heavy chain protects the developing wing from reactive oxygen species and ferroptosis.

  • Simone Mumbauer,
  • Justine Pascual,
  • Irina Kolotuev,
  • Fisun Hamaratoglu

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgen.1008396
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 15, no. 9
p. e1008396

Abstract

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The interplay between signalling pathways and metabolism is crucial for tissue growth. Yet, it remains poorly understood. Here, we studied the consequences of modulating iron metabolism on the growth of Drosophila imaginal discs. We find that reducing the levels of the ferritin heavy chain in the larval wing discs leads to drastic growth defects, whereas light chain depletion causes only minor defects. Mutant cell clones for the heavy chain lack the ability to compete against Minute mutant cells. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulate in wing discs with reduced heavy chain levels, causing severe mitochondrial defects and ferroptosis. Preventing ROS accumulation alleviates some of the growth defects. We propose that the increased expression of ferritin in hippo mutant cells may protect against ROS accumulation.