Abrogating PDK4 activates autophagy-dependent ferroptosis in breast cancer via ASK1/JNK pathway

Background Targeting ferroptosis mediated by autophagy presents a novel therapeutic approach to breast cancer, a mortal neoplasm on the global scale. Pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase isozyme 4 (PDK4) has been denoted as a determinant of breast cancer metabolism. The target of this study was to untangle the functional mechanism of PDK4 in ferroptosis dependent on autophagy in breast cancer.Methods RT-qPCR and western blotting examined PDK4 mRNA and protein levels in breast cancer cells. Immunofluorescence staining appraised light chain 3 (LC3) expression. Fe (2 +) assay estimated total iron level. Relevant assay kits and C11-BODIPY (591/581) staining evaluated lipid peroxidation level. DCFH-DA staining assayed intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) content. Western blotting analyzed the protein levels of autophagy, ferroptosis and apoptosis-signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1)/c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway-associated proteins.Results PDK4 was highly expressed in breast cancer cells. Knockdown of PDK4 induced the autophagy of breast cancer cells and 3-methyladenine (3-MA), an autophagy inhibitor, countervailed the promoting role of PDK4 interference in ferroptosis in breast cancer cells. Furthermore, PDK4 knockdown activated ASK1/JNK pathway and ASK1 inhibitor (GS-4997) partially abrogated the impacts of PDK4 absence on the autophagy and ferroptosis in breast cancer cells.Conclusion To sum up, deficiency of PDK4 activated ASK1/JNK pathway to stimulate autophagy-dependent ferroptosis in breast cancer.