Cell death can be executed through different subroutines.Since the description of ferroptosis as an iron-dependent form of non-apoptotic cell death in 2012,there has been mounting interest in the process and function of ferroptosis.Ferroptosis can occur through two major pathways,the extrinsic or transporter-dependent pathway and the intrinsic or enzyme-regulated pathway.Ferroptosis is caused by a redox imbalance between the production of oxidants and antioxidants,which is driven by the abnormal expression and activity of multiple redox-active enzymes that produce or detoxify free radicals and lipid oxidation products.Accordingly,ferroptosis is precisely regulated at multiple levels,including epigenetic,transcriptional,posttranscriptional and posttranslational layers.The transcription factor NFE2L2 plays a central role in upregulating anti-ferroptotic defense,whereas selective autophagy may promote ferroptotic death.Here,we review current knowledge on the integrated molecular machinery of ferroptosis and describe how dysregulated ferroptosis is involved in cancer,neurodegeneration,tissue injury,inflammation,and infection.