RIP3 mediates TCN-induced necroptosis through activating mitochondrial metabolism and ROS production in chemotherapy-resistant cancers

Resisting cell death is one of the hallmarks of cancer. Necroptosis is a form of non-caspase dependent necrotic cell death mediated by receptor-interacting protein kinase-1/3 (RIP1/3), which represents another mode of programmed cell death besides apoptosis. RIP3 also acts as an energy metabolism regulator associated with switching cell death from apoptosis to necroptosis. Trichothecin (TCN) is a sesquiterpenoid originating from endophytic fungi and shows potent anti-tumor bioactivity. Our current findings reveal that RIP3 mediates TCN-induced necroptosis through up-regulating PYGL and PDC-E1 alpha to promote mitochondria energy metabolism and ROS production. RIP3 might be involved in sensitizing tumor cells to chemotherapy induced by TCN. Therefore, activating RIP3 to initiate necroptosis contributes to the bioactivity of TCN. Moreover, TCN could be exploited for therapeutic gain through up-regulating RIP3 to sensitize cancer chemotherapy.