Truck in the Moonlight
Molecular Cell Cover Art
Ferroptosis, a type of programmed cell death characterized by its dependency on iron, is a crucial aspect of redox cell biology and a promising target for treating human diseases. Dr. Ito and his team at Tohoku University have been studying Peroxiredoxin-6 (PRDX6) as a key regulator of ferroptosis. They found the role of PRDX6 as a selenium-acceptor protein, which is related to the biosynthesis of selenoproteins, including a glutathione peroxidase (GPX4), known as the “guardian” of ferroptosis.
The paper was published at MolecularCell(2024);84(23)P4629-4644.E9.
Metaphor as a construction site
I was first asked to make a simple graphical abstract (for press release) to illustrate how PRDX6 prevents ferroptosis. The team proposed using a truck as a metaphor for PRDX6, as it functions to transport selenium to its destination. Building on this idea, I suggested incorporating additional construction-site elements to represent the phenomenon more vividly. In the final figure, I included workers, sandbags (representing GPX4), and a “keep out” sign to highlight their roles in preventing ferroptosis.
Graphical abstract used for their press release.
Concurrently, we started designing the cover art. The truck and rocks continued to be used as a metaphor for PRDX6 and selenium, respectively. Since selenium is named after Selene, the Greek goddess of the moon, we decided to depict the truck working under the moonlight.
Two rough images of the cover art. They preferred the version with truck facing forward.
For the actual production, I used acrylic paint. Although the final touches were done digitally, I still prefer starting with analogue drawings or paintings to add a sense of “organic texture”.
My cat was curiously observing the process.
A finished Cover Art (with official Molecular Cell journal logo.)
The official cover legend says: “On the cover: Peroxiredoxin-6 (PRDX6) is depicted as a truck transporting rocks that symbolize the trace element selenium, named after Selene, the Greek goddess of the moon, under moonlight—representing PRDX6’s moonlighting function. In this issue of Molecular Cell, Ito et al. and Chen et al. highlight PRDX6 as a key regulator of ferroptosis. As a selenium-acceptor protein, PRDX6 facilitates intracellular selenium utilization, promoting the synthesis of selenoproteins such as glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), the guardian of ferroptosis. Artwork by Misaki Ouchida.”