NFE2L2
Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2, also known as nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2-like 2, is a transcription factor that in humans is encoded by the NFE2L2 gene. NRF2 is a basic leucine zipper protein that regulates the expression of antioxidant proteins that protect against oxidative damage triggered by injury and inflammation. NRF2 lies at the center of a complex regulatory network and performs pleiotropic vital role in the regulation of metabolism, inflammation, autophagy, proteostasis, mitochondrial physiology, and immune responses. Several drugs that stimulate the NFE2L2 pathway are being studied for treatment of diseases that are caused by oxidative stress.
Structure
NRF2 is a basic leucine zipper transcription factor with a Cap “n” Collar structure. NRF2 possesses six highly conserved domains called NRF2-ECH homology domains. The Neh1 domain is a CNC-bZIP domain that allows Nrf2 to heterodimerize with small Maf proteins. The Neh2 domain allows for binding of NRF2 to its cytosolic repressor Keap1.The Neh3 domain may play a role in NRF2 protein stability and may act as a transactivation domain, interacting with component of the transcriptional apparatus.
The Neh4 and Neh5 domains also act as transactivation domains, but bind to a different protein called cAMP Response Element Binding Protein, which possesses intrinsic histone acetyltransferase activity.
The Neh6 domain may contain a degron that is involved in a redox-insensitive process of degradation of NRF2. This occurs even in stressed cells, which normally extend the half-life of NRF2 protein relative to unstressed conditions by suppressing other degradation pathways.
Localization and function
NFE2L2 and other genes, such as NFE2, NFE2L1 and NFE2L3, encode basic leucine zipper transcription factors. They share highly conserved regions that are distinct from other bZIP families, such as JUN and FOS, although remaining regions have diverged considerably from each other.Under normal or unstressed conditions, NRF2 is kept in the cytoplasm by a cluster of proteins that degrade it quickly. Under oxidative stress, NRF2 is not degraded, but instead travels to the nucleus where it binds to a DNA promoter and initiates transcription of antioxidative genes and their proteins.
NRF2 is kept in the cytoplasm by Kelch like-ECH-associated protein 1 and Cullin 3, which degrade NRF2 by ubiquitination. Cullin 3 ubiquitinates NRF2, while Keap1 is a substrate adaptor protein that facilitates the reaction. Once NRF2 is ubiquitinated, it is transported to the proteasome, where it is degraded and its components recycled. Under normal conditions, NRF2 has a half-life of only 20 minutes. Oxidative stress or electrophilic stress disrupts critical cysteine residues in Keap1, disrupting the Keap1-Cul3 ubiquitination system. When NRF2 is not ubiquitinated, it builds up in the cytoplasm, and translocates into the nucleus. In the nucleus, it combines with one of small Maf proteins and binds to the antioxidant response element in the upstream promoter region of many antioxidative genes, and initiates their transcription.
Target genes
Activation of NRF2 results in the induction of many cytoprotective proteins. These include, but are not limited to, the following:- NADH quinone oxidoreductase 1 is a prototypical NRF2 target gene that catalyzes the reduction and detoxification of highly reactive quinones that can cause redox cycling and oxidative stress.
- Glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit and glutamate-cysteine ligase regulatory subunit form a heterodimer, which is the rate-limiting step in the synthesis of glutathione, a very powerful endogenous antioxidant. Both Gclc and Gclm are characteristic NRF2 target genes, which establish NRF2 as a regulator of glutathione, one of the most important antioxidants in the body.
- Sulfiredoxin 1 and Thioredoxin reductase 1 support the reduction and recovery of peroxiredoxins, proteins important in the detoxification of highly reactive peroxides, including hydrogen peroxide and peroxynitrite.
- Heme oxygenase-1 is an enzyme that catalyzes the breakdown of heme into the antioxidant biliverdin, the anti-inflammatory agent carbon monoxide, and iron. HO-1 is a NRF2 target gene that has been shown to protect from a variety of pathologies, including sepsis, hypertension, atherosclerosis, acute lung injury, kidney injury, and pain. In a recent study, however, induction of HO-1 has been shown to exacerbate early brain injury after intracerebral hemorrhage.
- The glutathione S-transferase family includes cytosolic, mitochondrial, and microsomal enzymes that catalyze the conjugation of GSH with endogenous and xenobiotic electrophiles. After detoxification by glutathione conjugation catalyzed by GSTs, the body can eliminate potentially harmful and toxic compounds. GSTs are induced by NRF2 activation and represent an important route of detoxification.
- The UDP-glucuronosyltransferase family catalyze the conjugation of a glucuronic acid moiety to a variety of endogenous and exogenous substances, making them more water-soluble and readily excreted. Important substrates for glucuronidation include bilirubin and acetaminophen. NRF2 has been shown to induce UGT1A1 and UGT1A6.
- Multidrug resistance-associated proteins are important membrane transporters that efflux various compounds from various organs and into bile or plasma, with subsequent excretion in the feces or urine, respectively. Mrps have been shown to be upregulated by NRF2 and alteration in their expression can dramatically alter the pharmacokinetics and toxicity of compounds.
Tissue distribution
Clinical relevance
, marketed as Tecfidera by Biogen Idec, was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in March 2013 following the conclusion of Phase 3 clinical trials which demonstrated that the drug reduced relapse rates and increased time to progression of disability in people with multiple sclerosis. The mechanism by which it exerts its therapeutic effect is unknown. Dimethyl fumarate activates the NRF2 pathway and has been identified as a nicotinic acid receptor agonist in vitro. The label includes warnings about the risk of anaphylaxis and angioedema, progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, lymphopenia, and liver damage; other adverse effects include flushing and gastrointestinal events, such as diarrhea, nausea, and upper abdominal pain.The dithiolethiones are a class of organosulfur compounds, of which oltipraz, an NRF2 inducer, is the best studied. Oltipraz inhibits cancer formation in rodent organs, including the bladder, blood, colon, kidney, liver, lung, pancreas, stomach, and trachea, skin, and mammary tissue. However, clinical trials of oltipraz have not demonstrated efficacy and have shown significant side effects, including neurotoxicity and gastrointestinal toxicity. Oltipraz also generates superoxide radical, which can be toxic.