Mesenchymal stem cells (on the right) are associated with metastatic dissemination, resistance to conventional chemotherapy and to relapses. During the transition to this state, the protein CD44 takes over from transferrin and its TfR1 receptor and ensures the majority of the iron endocytosis. This leads to a significant increase in cellular ion concentration. In the nucleus, iron operates as a chemical catalyst for oxidative demethylation and ’releases’ genes whose expression is reprimed by methylated histone proteins, in particular those involved in metastatic dissemination. Accordingly, CD44 regulates the epigenetic plasticity and expression of these genes by iron mediation.
Mesenchymal stem cells (on the right) are associated with metastatic dissemination, resistance to conventional chemotherapy and to relapses. During the transition to this state, the protein CD44 takes over from transferrin and its TfR1 receptor and ensures the majority of the iron endocytosis. This leads to a significant increase in cellular ion concentration. In the nucleus, iron operates as a chemical catalyst for oxidative demethylation and 'releases' genes whose expression is reprimed by methylated histone proteins, in particular those involved in metastatic dissemination. Accordingly, CD44 regulates the epigenetic plasticity and expression of these genes by iron mediation. Raphaël Rodriguez/Nature - Researchers at the Institut Curie have recently shown that cancer cells use a membrane protein that has been known for several decades to internalise iron. Published (August 3rd, 2020), this work shows that the absorbed iron allows cancer cells to acquire metastatic properties.
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