RSL3 - GPX4 inhibitor & Ferroptosis inducer

Invitrofit™ Cell death modulator

ABOUT

CAS #1219810-16-8 - InvitroFit™ - Cell culture-tested

RSL3 is a strong and selective inhibitor of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4). As a result, it induces ferroptosis, a form of non-apoptotic cell death [1]. 

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Mode of action

RSL3 (RAS-selective lethal 3) is a potent inducer of ferroptosis that directly inhibits GPX4, a key enzyme responsible for reducing lipid peroxides and maintaining redox balance in cells. Originally identified in a screen for compounds selectively lethal to RAS-mutant cancer cells, RSL3 triggers ferroptotic cell death by inactivating GPX4, leading to the accumulation of toxic amounts of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and subsequent oxidative membrane damage [1]. 

Upon stimulation of our Ferroptosis reporter HT-1080 cells using RSL3, the cell membrane ruptures and the reporter protein HMGB1::Lucia is released in the extracellular milieu. Levels of HMGB1::Lucia in the supernatant can be readily monitored by measuring the light signal produced after the addition of QUANTI-Luc™ 4 Lucia/Gaussia, a Lucia® luciferase detection reagent (see figure). Moreover, ferroptosis in this cell line can be assessed using the classic cytotoxic lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay (see figure).

RSL3-induced ferroptosis can be blocked by using Ferrostatin-1, a potent, synthetic ferroptosis inhibitor. 

 

Key features

  • Each lot is functionally tested and validated.
  • The absence of endotoxin is determined using the EndotoxDetect™ assay.
  • InvitroFit™ grade: each lot is highly pure (≥95%) and functionally tested

All products are for research use only, and not for human or veterinary use.

InvitroFit™

InvitroFit™ is a high-quality standard specifically adapted for in vitro studies of inhibitors. InvitroFit™ products are highly pure (≥95%) and guaranteed free of bacterial contamination, as confirmed using HEK Blue™ TLR2 and HEK Blue™ TLR4 cellular assays. Each lot is rigorously tested for functional activity using validated (or proprietary) cellular models. This grade ensures reliability and reproducibility for your research applications.

SPECIFICATIONS

Specifications

Source
Synthetic
Synonyms
RAS-selective lethal compound 3, (1S,3R)-RSL3, (1S,3R)-Methyl 2-(2-chloroacetyl)-2,3,4,9-tetrahydro-1-[4-(methoxycarbonyl)phenyl]-1H-pyrido[3,4-b]indole-3-carboxylate
Target

Glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4)

CAS number
1219810-16-8
Chemical formula

C23H21CIN2O5

Molecular weight
440.88 g/mol
Purity
≥ 95%
Solubility

40 mg/ml in DMSO, insoluble in water or ethanol

Appearance (form)
Dried powder
Working concentration

10 mM - 10 µM

Endotoxin

Negative (tested using EndotoxDetect™ assay)

Tested applications

Ferroptosis inhibition in cellular assay

Applications

Ferroptosis inhibition

Quality control

Each lot is functionally tested and validated.

CONTENTS

Contents

  • Product: 
    RSL3
  • Cat code: 
    inh-rsl3
  • Quantity: 
    10 mg

Shipping & Storage

  • Shipping method:  Room temperature
  • Storage:

    • -20 °C
    Stability: -20 °C for up to 3 years

    Caution:

    • Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles

Details

Ferroptosis overview

In 2012, Dixon et al. [1] discovered a novel form of non-apoptotic cell death characterized by iron overload and accumulation of lethal lipid peroxidation [2]. Because iron chelators were shown to block this type of regulated cell death, it was originally defined as iron-dependent and was called "Ferroptosis" [1]. In contrast to apoptosis, necrosis, and autophagy, ferroptosis is characterized by the build-up of lipid reactive oxygen species (ROS) triggering membrane damage. Cells undergoing ferroptosis do not exhibit classic apoptosis-like features, such as chromatin condensation or membrane blebbing. Instead, mitochondrial shrinkage and increased membrane density are often observed [1-2]. 

Ferroptosis is regulated by a complex network involving iron homeostasis, lipid metabolism, and glutathione-dependent oxidative-reductive balance [3-4]. Iron metabolism plays a central role, as excessive intracellular iron promotes the Fenton reaction, generating lethal amounts of ROS that drive lipid peroxidation [4]. Moreover, the enzyme glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) is a key regulator that protects cells from ferroptosis by reducing lipid peroxides. GPX4 activity is dependent on Glutathione (GSH) which is synthesized using cystine imported via the cystine-glutamate antiporter, System Xc−. When System Xc− is inhibited, cystine uptake decreases, leading to GSH depletion and GPX4 inactivation. As a result, lipid peroxides accumulate in the cells ultimately leading to ferroptotic cell death [2-4]. 
 

 

Ferroptosis in disease

Ferroptosis is involved in various diseases, including neurodegenerative disorders, organ injury-related conditions, and cancer [2-3]. In neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's, ferroptosis contributes to neuronal loss through iron deposition in the brain and oxidative stress [3]. It has also been identified as a major pathogenic driver in other organ injury-related disorders including acute kidney injury and COVID-19-induced myocarditis [3]. Studies have shown that using ferroptosis-specific inhibitors can protect against severe tissue damage in these cases [3]. On the other hand, triggering ferroptosis is being explored as a potential therapeutic approach for treating therapy-resistant cancers [1-4]. Certain types of cancer, especially those with high iron levels or deficiencies in GPX4, are particularly sensitive to ferroptosis-inducing substances. Compounds like RSL3 or Erastin hold promise to overcome drug resistance in chemotherapy and immunotherapy [2]. Advancing our understanding of ferroptosis will continue to drive progress in cell death research and therapeutic development.

 

 

References

1. Dixon SJ, et al., 2012. Ferroptosis: an iron-dependent form of nonapoptotic cell death. Cell. 2012 May 25;149(5):1060-72.
2. Du Y, Guo Z. 2022. Recent progress in ferroptosis: inducers and inhibitors. Cell Death Discov. 8(1):501.
3. Sun S, et al., 2023. Targeting ferroptosis opens new avenues for the development of novel therapeutics. Signal Transduct Target Ther. 8(1):372.
4. Li J, et al., 2020. Ferroptosis: past, present and future. Cell Death Dis. 11(2):88.

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