The sigma-1 receptor protects against cellular oxidative stress and activates antioxidant response elements

Background: Antioxidant Response Elements (ARE) play a key role in the expression of Nrf2 target genes by regulating the Keap1-Nrf2-ARE pathway, which offers protection against toxic agents and oxidative stress-induced diseases. Objective: To develop a database of putative AREs for all the genes in the zebrafish genome. This database will be helpful for researchers to investigate Nrf2 regulatory mechanisms in detail. Methods: To facilitate researchers functionally characterize zebrafish AREs, we have developed a database of AREs, Zebrafish Antioxidant Response Element Database (ZFARED), for all the protein-coding genes including antioxidant and mitochondrial genes in the zebrafish genome. The front end of the database was developed using HTML, JavaScript, and CSS and tested in different browsers. The back end of the database was developed using Perl scripts and Perl-CGI and Perl- DBI modules. Results: ZFARED is the first database on the AREs in zebrafish, which facilitates fast and efficient searching of AREs. AREs were identified using the in-house developed Perl algorithms and the database was developed using HTML, JavaScript, and Perl-CGI scripts. From this database, researchers can access the AREs based on chromosome number (1 to 25 and M for mitochondria), strand (positive or negative), ARE pattern and keywords. Users can also specify the size of the upstream/promoter regions (5 to 30 kb) from transcription start site to access the AREs located in those specific regions. Conclusion: ZFARED will be useful in the investigation of the Keap1-Nrf2-ARE pathway and its gene regulation. ZFARED is freely available at http://zfared.buc.edu.in/.

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Nrf2 Is an Attractive Therapeutic Target for Retinal Diseases

Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity ◽

10.1155/2016/7469326 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 2016 ◽

pp. 1-8 ◽

Cited By ~ 26

Author(s):

Yasuhiro Nakagami

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Neuronal Degeneration ◽

Antioxidant Response ◽

Related Factor ◽

Retinal Diseases ◽

Age Related ◽

Nrf2 Signaling Pathway ◽

Genes Encoding ◽

Antioxidant Response Elements ◽

Nrf2 Activator

Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is a redox-sensitive transcription factor that binds to antioxidant response elements located in the promoter region of genes encoding many antioxidant enzymes and phase II detoxifying enzymes. Activation of Nrf2 functions is one of the critical defensive mechanisms against oxidative stress in many species. The retina is constantly exposed to reactive oxygen species, and oxidative stress is a major contributor to age-related macular diseases. Moreover, the resulting inflammation and neuronal degeneration are also related to other retinal diseases. The well-known Nrf2 activators, bardoxolone methyl and its derivatives, have been the subject of a number of clinical trials, including those aimed at treating chronic kidney disease, pulmonary arterial hypertension, and mitochondrial myopathies. Recent studies suggest that Nrf2 activation protects the retina from retinal diseases. In particular, this is supported by the finding that Nrf2 knockout mice display age-related retinal degeneration. Moreover, the concept has been validated by the efficacy of Nrf2 activators in a number of retinal pathological models. We have also recently succeeded in generating a novel Nrf2 activator, RS9, using a biotransformation technique. This review discusses current links between retinal diseases and Nrf2 and the possibility of treating retinal diseases by activating the Nrf2 signaling pathway.

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Nestin regulates cellular redox homeostasis in lung cancer through the Keap1–Nrf2 feedback loop

Nature Communications ◽

10.1038/s41467-019-12925-9 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Jiancheng Wang ◽

Qiying Lu ◽

Jianye Cai ◽

Yi Wang ◽

Xiaofan Lai ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Lung Cancer ◽

Feedback Loop ◽

Redox Homeostasis ◽

Antioxidant Response ◽

Cellular Redox ◽

Anti Cancer ◽

Oxidative Stress Status ◽

Kelch Domain ◽

Antioxidant Response Elements

Abstract Abnormal cancer antioxidant capacity is considered as a potential mechanism of tumor malignancy. Modulation of oxidative stress status is emerging as an anti-cancer treatment. Our previous studies have found that Nestin-knockdown cells were more sensitive to oxidative stress in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the molecular mechanism by which Nestin protects cells from oxidative damage remains unclear. Here, we identify a feedback loop between Nestin and Nrf2 maintaining the redox homeostasis. Mechanistically, the ESGE motif of Nestin interacts with the Kelch domain of Keap1 and competes with Nrf2 for Keap1 binding, leading to Nrf2 escaping from Keap1-mediated degradation, subsequently promoting antioxidant enzyme generation. Interestingly, we also map that the antioxidant response elements (AREs) in the Nestin promoter are responsible for its induction via Nrf2. Taken together, our results indicate that the Nestin–Keap1–Nrf2 axis regulates cellular redox homeostasis and confers oxidative stress resistance in NSCLC.

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