Melittin induces ferroptosis and ER stress-CHOP-mediated apoptosis in A549 cells.

KEY POLICY HIGHLIGHTSMelittin upregulates intracellular Fe 2+ levels, leading to the accumulation of lipid peroxides in A549 cells.Melittin disrupts the glutathione-glutathione peroxidase 4 antioxidant system in A549 cells.Melittin induces activation of endoplasmic reticulum stress-C/EBP homologous protein apoptosis signal.Ferroptosis and ER stress are the core molecular mechanisms underlying melittin-induced cell death in A549 cells.