Haem identified as a new regulator of cellular stress

Researchers from CNRS, Inserm and Aix-Marseille University have identified a new role for haem, previously known primarily for its function in cellular metabolism. Published in Molecular Cell, their study shows that the molecule also acts as a molecular signal, triggering the targeted degradation of BACH1, a key regulator of cellular responses to oxidative stress and hypoxia. This mechanism enables cells to rapidly adjust the expression of genes involved in antioxidant defence and protection against ferroptosis.

Beyond its implications for cancer research, the discovery reveals a previously unrecognised regulatory mechanism linking cellular metabolism directly to protein stability. It provides new insights into the biological processes underlying the response to oxidative stress, an area of growing interest for research into skin ageing, cellular protection and the identification of new biological targets for cosmetic active ingredients.