Intracellular Stress Pathways and Cell Death in Liver Cancer

Author

• Daniela Delgado, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Date of Award

8-1-2026

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

First Advisor

Nirakar Sahoo

Second Advisor

Yonghong Zhang

Third Advisor

Mohammed Farooqui

Abstract

We begin by describing the basic functions of organelles and discussing how these processes differ in normal cells and cancer cells, specifically in liver cancer. We highlight the impact and burden of liver cancer, risk factors, and unmet needs and challenges as described by literature. Chapter II shows that ML-228 reduces CCK-8 metabolic-activity signal and crystal-violet staining and alters HIF-1α, iron-handling, ferritin, lysosomal, ferroptosis-associated, and mitochondrial markers. ML-228 significantly reduces ferritin abundance at 1 and 2.4 µM after 24 h treatment (n=3) (adjusted p = 0.0012 and 0.0077, respectively). Under the same conditions, antioxidant enzyme GPX4 showed a downward trend after 24 h of treatment (adjusted p = 0.0739 and 0.2506). Chapter III shows that 5 µM hinokitiol reduces CCK-8 signal and significantly reduced ferritin abundance (p = 0.0053). ACSL4 decreased significantly at 2 µM (adjusted p = 0.0229) and showed a downward trend at 5 µM (adjusted p = 0.0776). These data support iron-associated stress responses but do not establish ferritinophagy-dependent ferroptosis, lysosomal dysfunction, or mitochondrial dysfunction.

Comments

Copyright 2026 Daniela Delgado. All Rights Reserved. https://proquest.com/docview/3409150957

Recommended Citation

Delgado, D. (2026). Intracellular Stress Pathways and Cell Death in Liver Cancer [Master's thesis, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley]. ScholarWorks @ UTRGV. https://scholarworks.utrgv.edu/etd/2003