Nrf2: A MASTER REGULATOR OF CELLULAR DEFENSE MECHANISM AND A NOVEL THERAPEUTIC FACTOR

Abstract

Nrf2 is a potent regulator for the cellular defense system and belongs to a member of the cap ‘n’ collar (CNC) subfamily of transcription. Nrf2 senses the chemical, electrophilic and radiation-induced oxidative stress under basal conditions. Nrf2 is repressed and retained in cytoplasm by its negative regulator Keap1 and is polyubiquitinated by cullin E3 ubiquitin ligase complex for its proteasomal degradation, but stress induces the modification in cullin E3 ubiquitin ligase complex and leads towards its reduced ability to polyubiquitinate Nrf2 and results in Nrf2 escape from Keap1 and mediates the transcription of antioxidant electrophile response element (ARE) to encode antioxidant enzymes that neutralize the effect of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Here we highlighted the activity of Nrf2 as a therapeutic agent in oxidatively stressed diseases such as heart failure, cancer, neurological, bone and joint disorders and it can be induced by numerous natural and synthetic compounds