Agps, short for alkylglycerone phosphate synthase, is a protein-encoding gene. It has been associated with ferroptosis, a novel necrosis-like process. Ferroptosis is increasingly recognized to have a role in tumor progression and treatment. In the context of peroxisome-related functions, Agps may play a key part in modulating biological processes, and its study can potentially be enhanced through genetic models such as gene knockout models to understand its functions better [1].

In prostate cancer, Agps protein expression was found to be downregulated compared to normal tissues. Lower Agps expression was correlated with poorer overall survival of patients. Agps can promote ferroptosis by modulating peroxisome function, leading to lower survival of prostate cancer cells. Mechanistically, Agps can be ubiquitinated and degraded by the E3 ligase-MDM2 through the proteasomal pathway. The kinase TrkA can promote the combination of Agps and MDM2 by phosphorylating Agps at the Y451 site. The TrkA inhibitor-Larotrectinib can increase the susceptibility of prostate cancer cells to ferroptosis, inhibiting prostate cancer proliferation in vitro and in vivo [1].

In conclusion, Agps has an important role in the context of ferroptosis, especially in prostate cancer. The findings from studies related to Agps in prostate cancer, such as the down-regulation of its expression and its role in promoting ferroptosis, highlight its potential as a target for cancer treatment. Understanding Agps through model-based research, like the insights from the described mechanisms in prostate cancer, may provide new strategies for clinical treatment.