The Role of Autophagy in Ferroptosis

Autophagy is a self-degrading process that helps determine the fate of cells in response to stress. Although the role of autophagy in promoting cell survival is well understood, the connection between autophagy and cell death is still not entirely clear. Ferroptosis is a type of cell death that is driven by iron-mediated lipid peroxidation and plasma membrane rupture. Recent studies suggest that the level of autophagy in a cell can impact its sensitivity to ferroptosis. The selective destruction of certain proteins or organelles through autophagy can trigger ferroptosis by promoting iron accumulation and lipid peroxidation. Some of the genes and proteins involved in regulating autophagy-dependent ferroptosis may differ from those involved in starvation-induced autophagy. To develop effective treatments for related diseases, a deeper understanding of the mechanisms and regulation of autophagy in ferroptosis is essential.