Histone demethylase KDM3B protects against ferroptosis by upregulating SLC7A11

Abstract

Ferroptosis is a type of adaptive cell death driven by cellular metabolism and iron-dependent lipid peroxidation. Though multiple genes (including SLC7A11 and GPX4) have been demonstrated to play key roles in ferroptosis, little is known about the epigenetic regulation of this process. Here, we report that KDM3B, a histone H3 lysine 9 demethylase, can protect against ferroptosis induced by Erastin, an inhibitor of SLC7A11. KDM3B overexpression in HT-1080 cells results in decreased histone H3 lysine 9 methylation. Furthermore, KDM3B upregulates the expression of SLC7A11 through cooperation with the transcription factor ATF4. In summary, we identify here KDM3B as a potential epigenetic regulator of ferroptosis.