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Molecular mechanisms of Nrf2‐mediated antioxidant response
Author(s) -
Li Wenge,
Kong AhNg
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
molecular carcinogenesis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.254
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1098-2744
pISSN - 0899-1987
DOI - 10.1002/mc.20465
Subject(s) - keap1 , cullin , biology , transcription factor , microbiology and biotechnology , signal transducing adaptor protein , ubiquitin , oxidative stress , ubiquitin ligase , redox , biochemistry , signal transduction , chemistry , gene , organic chemistry
Nrf2 is the key transcription factor regulating the antioxidant response. Nrf2 signaling is repressed by Keap1 at basal condition and induced by oxidative stress. Keap1 is recently identified as a Cullin 3‐dependent substrate adaptor protein. A two‐sites binding “hinge & latch” model vividly depicts how Keap1 can efficiently present Nrf2 as substrate for ubiquitination. Oxidative perturbation can impede Keap1‐mediated Nrf2 ubiquitination but fail to disrupt Nrf2/Keap1 binding. Nrf2 per se is a redox‐sensitive transcription factor. A new Nrf2‐mediated redox signaling model is proposed based on these new discoveries. Free floating Nrf2 protein functions as a redox‐sensitive probe. Keap1 instead functions as a gate keeper to control the availability of Nrf2 probes and thus regulates the overall sensitivity of the redox signaling. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.