Role of carbonic anhydrases in ferroptosis-resistance

Iron is essential for all the lives on earth but may trigger a switch toward ferroptosis, a novel form of regulated necrosis. Carbonic anhydrases (CAs) are ubiquitous enzymes from microbes to humans. The primary function of CAs is to regulate cellular pH by hydrating carbon dioxide (CO2) to protons (H+) and bicarbonate ions (HCO3-). Furthermore, CAs play roles in biosynthetic reactions, such as gluconeogenesis, lipogenesis, ureagenesis and are also associated with tumor metabolism, suggesting that CAs may be a potential target for the treatment of cancers. We have recently revealed a novel function of CA IX in ferroptosis-resistance by using human malignant mesothelioma cells. Herein, we aim to review the potential molecular association between ferroptosis and CAs, from the viewpoint of iron-metabolism, lipogenesis and signaling pathways both under physiological and pathological contexts.