Small molecular Nrf2 inhibitors as chemosensitizers for cancer therapy

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 243-267 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hongzhi Lin ◽  
Yuting Qiao ◽  
Hongyu Yang ◽  
Qin Nan ◽  
Wei Qu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Cancer Progression ◽  
Therapeutic Strategy ◽  
Leucine Zipper ◽  
Basic Leucine Zipper ◽  
Constitutive Activation ◽  
Inhibitory Mechanisms ◽  
Radio Therapy ◽  
Stress Activation

The basic leucine zipper transcription factor Nrf2 is the primary regulator of cellular oxidative stress. Activation of Nrf2 is regarded as a potential preventive and therapeutic strategy. However, aberrant hyperactivation of Nrf2 is found in a variety of cancers and promotes cancer progression and metastasis. Moreover, constitutive activation of Nrf2 confers cancer cells resistance to chemo- and radio-therapy. Thus, inhibiting Nrf2 could be a new therapeutic strategy for cancer. With the aim of accelerating the discovery and development of novel Nrf2 inhibitors, we summarize the biological and pathological functions of Nrf2 in cancer. Furthermore, the recent studies of small molecular Nrf2 inhibitors and potential Nrf2 inhibitory mechanisms are also summarized in this review.

scholarly journals The Basic Leucine Zipper Transcription Factor Moatf1 Mediates Oxidative Stress Responses and Is Necessary for Full Virulence of the Rice Blast Fungus Magnaporthe oryzae

2010 ◽  
Vol 23 (8) ◽  
pp. 1053-1068 ◽  
Author(s):  
Min Guo ◽  
Wang Guo ◽  
Yue Chen ◽  
Suomeng Dong ◽  
Xing Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Magnaporthe Oryzae ◽  
Stress Responses ◽  
Rice Blast ◽  
Leucine Zipper ◽  
Blast Disease ◽  
Bzip Transcription Factor ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Basic Leucine Zipper

Magnaporthe oryzae is the causal agent of rice blast disease, leading to enormous losses of rice production. Here, we characterized a basic leucine zipper (bZIP) transcription factor, Moatf1, in M. oryzae, a homolog of Schizosaccharomyces pombe ATF/CREB that regulates the oxidative stress response. Moatf1 deletion caused retarded vegetative growth of mycelia, and the Moatf1 mutant exhibited higher sensitivity to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) than did the wild-type strain. The mutant showed severely reduced activity of extracellular enzymes and transcription level of laccases and peroxidases and exhibited significantly reduced virulence on rice cultivar CO-39. On rice leaf sheath, most of the infectious hyphae of the mutant became swollen and displayed restricted growth in primary infected cells. Defense response was strongly activated in plants infected by the mutant. Diamino benzidine staining revealed an accumulation of H2O2 around Moatf1 mutant appressoria and rice cells with Moatf1 hyphae that was absent in the wild type. Inhibition of the plant NADPH oxidase by diphenyleneiodonium prevented host-derived H2O2 accumulation and restored infectious hyphal growth of the mutant in rice cells. Thus, we conclude that Moatf1 is necessary for full virulence of M. oryzae by regulating the transcription of laccases and peroxidases to impair reactive oxygen species–mediated plant defense.

scholarly journals EGCG Alleviates Oxidative Stress and Inhibits Aflatoxin B1 Biosynthesis via MAPK Signaling Pathway

Toxins ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 693
Author(s):  
Dan Xu ◽  
Shurui Peng ◽  
Rui Guo ◽  
Lishan Yao ◽  
Haizhen Mo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Signaling Pathway ◽  
Aflatoxin B1 ◽  
Leucine Zipper ◽  
Mapk Signaling ◽  
Aflatoxin Contamination ◽  
Mapk Signaling Pathway ◽  
Soy Sauce ◽  
Basic Leucine Zipper

Aflatoxin biosynthesis has established a connection with oxidative stress, suggesting a prevention strategy for aflatoxin contamination via reactive oxygen species (ROS) removal. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is one of the most active and the richest molecules in green tea with well-known antioxidant effects. Here, we found EGCG could inhibit aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) biosynthesis without affecting mycelial growth in Aspergillus flavus, and the arrest occurred before the synthesis of toxin intermediate metabolites. Further RNA-seq analysis indicated that multiple genes involved in AFB1 biosynthesis were down-regulated. In addition, EGCG exposure facilitated the significantly decreased expression of AtfA which is a bZIP (basic leucine zipper) transcription factor mediating oxidative stress. Notably, KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) analysis indicated that the MAPK signaling pathway target transcription factor was down-regulated by 1 mg/mL EGCG. Further Western blot analysis showed 1 mg/mL EGCG could decrease the levels of phosphorylated SakA in both the cytoplasm and nucleus. Taken together, these data evidently supported that EGCG inhibited AFB1 biosynthesis and alleviated oxidative stress via MAPK signaling pathway. Finally, we evaluated AFB1 contamination in soy sauce fermentation and found that EGCG could completely control AFB1 contamination at 8 mg/mL. Conclusively, our results supported the potential use of EGCG as a natural agent to prevent AFB1 contamination in fermentation industry.

scholarly journals Antitumor effect of Batf2 through IL-12 p40 up-regulation in tumor-associated macrophages

2017 ◽  
Vol 114 (35) ◽  
pp. E7331-E7340 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hisashi Kanemaru ◽  
Fumihiro Yamane ◽  
Kiyoharu Fukushima ◽  
Takanori Matsuki ◽  
Takahiro Kawasaki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
Cancer Progression ◽  
T Cell Activation ◽  
Cell Activation ◽  
Antitumor Effect ◽  
Leucine Zipper ◽  
Cancer Prognosis ◽  
Tumor Associated Macrophages ◽  
Basic Leucine Zipper

The development of effective treatments against cancers is urgently needed, and the accumulation of CD8+ T cells within tumors is especially important for cancer prognosis. Although their mechanisms are still largely unknown, growing evidence has indicated that innate immune cells have important effects on cancer progression through the production of various cytokines. Here, we found that basic leucine zipper transcription factor ATF-like 2 (Batf2) has an antitumor effect. An s.c. inoculated tumor model produced fewer IL-12 p40+ macrophages and activated CD8+ T cells within the tumors of Batf2−/− mice compared with WT mice. In vitro studies also revealed that the IL-12 p40 expression was significantly lower in Batf2−/− macrophages following their stimulation by toll-like receptor ligands, such as R848. Additionally, we found that BATF2 interacts with p50/p65 and promotes IL-12 p40 expression. In conclusion, Batf2 has an antitumor effect through the up-regulation of IL-12 p40 in tumor-associated macrophages, which eventually induces CD8+ T-cell activation and accumulation within the tumor.

scholarly journals Induction of metallothionein I by phenolic antioxidants requires metal-activated transcription factor 1 (MTF-1) and zinc

2004 ◽  
Vol 380 (3) ◽  
pp. 695-703 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yongyi BI ◽  
Richard D. PALMITER ◽  
Kristi M. WOOD ◽  
Qiang MA
Keyword(s):  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Phase Ii ◽  
Leucine Zipper ◽  
Gene Promoter ◽  
Phenolic Antioxidants ◽  
Related Factor ◽  
Basic Leucine Zipper ◽  
Free Zinc ◽  
Genes Encoding ◽  
Transcription Factor 1

Phenolic antioxidants, such as tBHQ [2,5-di-(t-butyl)-1,4-hydroquinone], induce Mt1 (metallothionein 1) gene expression and accumulation of MT protein. Induction of Mt1 mRNA does not depend on protein synthesis, and correlates with oxidation–reduction functions of the antioxidants. In the present study, we analysed the biochemical pathway of the induction. Induction depends on the presence of MTF-1 (metal-activated transcription factor 1), a transcription factor that is required for metal-induced transcription of Mt1, but does not require nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2, a tBHQ-activated CNC bZip (cap ‘n’ collar basic leucine zipper) protein, that is responsible for regulating genes encoding phase II drug-metabolizing enzymes. Moreover, tBHQ induces the expression of MRE-βGeo, a reporter gene driven by five metal response elements that constitute an optimal MTF-1 binding site. Reconstitution of Mtf1-null cells with MTF-1 restores induction by both zinc and tBHQ. Unlike activation of phase II genes by tBHQ, induction of Mt1 expression does not occur in the presence of EDTA, when cells are cultured in zinc-depleted medium, or in cells with reduced intracellular ‘free’ zinc due to overexpression of ZnT1, a zinc-efflux transporter, indicating that induction requires zinc. In addition, fluorescence imaging reveals that tBHQ increases cytoplasmic free zinc concentration by mobilizing intracellular zinc pools. These findings establish that phenolic antioxidants activate Mt1 transcription by a zinc-dependent mechanism, which involves MTF-1 binding to metal regulator elements in the Mt1 gene promoter.

Basic leucine zipper transcription factor OsbZIP16 positively regulates drought resistance in rice

Plant Science ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 193-194 ◽  
pp. 8-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hao Chen ◽  
Wei Chen ◽  
Junli Zhou ◽  
Hang He ◽  
Liangbi Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Drought Resistance ◽  
Leucine Zipper ◽  
Basic Leucine Zipper

scholarly journals Sulforaphane Protects against Cardiovascular Disease via Nrf2 Activation

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yang Bai ◽  
Xiaolu Wang ◽  
Song Zhao ◽  
Chunye Ma ◽  
Jiuwei Cui ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Leucine Zipper ◽  
Defense Mechanism ◽  
Myocardial Damage ◽  
Related Factor ◽  
Anticancer Activities ◽  
Basic Leucine Zipper ◽  
Nrf2 Activation

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) causes an unparalleled proportion of the global burden of disease and will remain the main cause of mortality for the near future. Oxidative stress plays a major role in the pathophysiology of cardiac disorders. Several studies have highlighted the cardinal role played by the overproduction of reactive oxygen or nitrogen species in the pathogenesis of ischemic myocardial damage and consequent cardiac dysfunction. Isothiocyanates (ITC) are sulfur-containing compounds that are broadly distributed among cruciferous vegetables. Sulforaphane (SFN) is an ITC shown to possess anticancer activities by bothin vivoand epidemiological studies. Recent data have indicated that the beneficial effects of SFN in CVD are due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. SFN activates NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), a basic leucine zipper transcription factor that serves as a defense mechanism against oxidative stress and electrophilic toxicants by inducing more than a hundred cytoprotective proteins, including antioxidants and phase II detoxifying enzymes. This review will summarize the evidence from clinical studies and animal experiments relating to the potential mechanisms by which SFN modulates Nrf2 activation and protects against CVD.

scholarly journals Regulation of Nitrate (NO3) Transporters and Glutamate Synthase-Encoding Genes under Drought Stress in Arabidopsis: The Regulatory Role of AtbZIP62 Transcription Factor

Plants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 2149
Author(s):  
Nkulu Kabange Rolly ◽  
Byung-Wook Yun
Keyword(s):  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Drought Stress ◽  
Leucine Zipper ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
De Novo ◽  
In Silico Analysis ◽  
Glutamate Synthase ◽  
Regulatory Elements ◽  
Transcript Accumulation ◽  
Basic Leucine Zipper

Nitrogen (N) is an essential macronutrient, which contributes substantially to the growth and development of plants. In the soil, nitrate (NO3) is the predominant form of N available to the plant and its acquisition by the plant involves several NO3 transporters; however, the mechanism underlying their involvement in the adaptive response under abiotic stress is poorly understood. Initially, we performed an in silico analysis to identify potential binding sites for the basic leucine zipper 62 transcription factor (AtbZIP62 TF) in the promoter of the target genes, and constructed their protein–protein interaction networks. Rather than AtbZIP62, results revealed the presence of cis-regulatory elements specific to two other bZIP TFs, AtbZIP18 and 69. A recent report showed that AtbZIP62 TF negatively regulated AtbZIP18 and AtbZIP69. Therefore, we investigated the transcriptional regulation of AtNPF6.2/NRT1.4 (low-affinity NO3 transporter), AtNPF6.3/NRT1.1 (dual-affinity NO3 transporter), AtNRT2.1 and AtNRT2.2 (high-affinity NO3 transporters), and AtGLU1 and AtGLU2 (both encoding glutamate synthase) in response to drought stress in Col-0. From the perspective of exploring the transcriptional interplay of the target genes with AtbZIP62 TF, we measured their expression by qPCR in the atbzip62 (lacking the AtbZIP62 gene) under the same conditions. Our recent study revealed that AtbZIP62 TF positively regulates the expression of AtPYD1 (Pyrimidine 1, a key gene of the de novo pyrimidine biosynthesis pathway know to share a common substrate with the N metabolic pathway). For this reason, we included the atpyd1-2 mutant in the study. Our findings revealed that the expression of AtNPF6.2/NRT1.4, AtNPF6.3/NRT1.1 and AtNRT2.2 was similarly regulated in atzbip62 and atpyd1-2 but differentially regulated between the mutant lines and Col-0. Meanwhile, the expression pattern of AtNRT2.1 in atbzip62 was similar to that observed in Col-0 but was suppressed in atpyd1-2. The breakthrough is that AtNRT2.2 had the highest expression level in Col-0, while being suppressed in atbzip62 and atpyd1-2. Furthermore, the transcript accumulation of AtGLU1 and AtGLU2 showed differential regulation patterns between Col-0 and atbzip62, and atpyd1-2. Therefore, results suggest that of all tested NO3 transporters, AtNRT2.2 is thought to play a preponderant role in contributing to NO3 transport events under the regulatory influence of AtbZIP62 TF in response to drought stress.

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