Metformin induces ferroptosis by targeting miR-324-3p/GPX4 axis in breast cancer

Abstract

Metformin is a widely prescribed hypoglycemic drug. Many studies have shown its anti-cancer properties. In the present study, we aimed to explore the effect of metformin on breast cancer and clarify the underlying mechanism. Our results showed that metformin induced ferroptosis in MDA-MB-231 cells through upregulating miR-324-3p expression. Overexpression of miR-324-3p inhibited cancer cell viability. miR-324-3p inhibitor promoted cell viability. Further studies showed that the effect of miR-324-3p was mediated by directly targeting glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4). miR-324-3p bound to the 3ʹ-UTR of GPX4 and led to the downregulation of GPX4. In vivo studies showed that metformin induced ferroptosis by upregulating miR-324-3p in the xenograft model of breast cancer in mice. Our study suggested that metformin promotes ferroptosis of breast cancer by targeting the miR-324-3p/GPX4 axis. Metformin could act as a potential anti-cancer agent through the induction of ferroptosis.