Fig. 5
From: Regulated cell death: discovery, features and implications for neurodegenerative diseases
Ferroptosis is a novel form of cell death dependent on iron and lipid peroxidation. Inhibition of system Xc- and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) causes ferroptosis. Glutamate receptors activate or inhibit the Xc- system, the glutamate/cystine antiporter, which can cause glutamate-induced toxicity. The uptake of extracellular cysteine in the form of cystine is a key step in the synthesis of GSH, and GSH generation and maintenance is significant for preventing cells from the damaged oxidative stress responses. The depletion of glutathione or GSH levels affect the function of GPX4, which is a member of the GSH peroxidases. GPX4 inactivation gives rise to the accumulation of lipid peroxides and ferroptosis. Blocking up lipid peroxidation and iron chelation are the inhibitor of ferroptosis. Small-molecule inducers of ferroptosis are colored red, small-molecule inhibitors of ferroptosis are colored green