scholarly journals Molecular effects of cancer-associated somatic mutations on the structural and target recognition properties of Keap1

2015 ◽  
Vol 467 (1) ◽  
pp. 141-151 ◽  
Author(s):  
Halema Khan ◽  
Ryan C. Killoran ◽  
Anne Brickenden ◽  
Jingsong Fan ◽  
Daiwen Yang ◽  
...  

Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1) plays an important regulatory role in the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)-dependent oxidative stress response pathway. It functions as a repressor of Nrf2, a key transcription factor that initiates the expression of cytoprotective enzymes during oxidative stress to protect cells from damage caused by reactive oxygen species. Recent studies show that mutations of Keap1 can lead to aberrant activation of the antioxidant pathway, which is associated with different types of cancers. To gain a mechanistic understanding of the links between Keap1 mutations and cancer pathogenesis, we have investigated the molecular effects of a series of mutations (G333C, G350S, G364C, G379D, R413L, R415G, A427V, G430C and G476R) on the structural and target recognition properties of Keap1 by using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, circular dichroism (CD) and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC). Depending on their locations in the protein, these mutations are found to exert differential effects on the protein stability and target binding. Together with the proposed hinge-and-latch mechanism of Nrf2–Keap1 binding in the literature, our results provide important insight into the molecular affect of different somatic mutations on Keap1’s function as an Nrf2 repressor.

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 260-265
Author(s):  
Xu Lin ◽  
Zheng Xiaojun ◽  
Lv Heng ◽  
Mo Yipeng ◽  
Tong Hong

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the protective effect of swertiamarin on heart failure. To this end, a rat model of heart failure was established via left coronary artery ligation. Infarct size of heart tissues was determined using triphenyl tetrazolium chloride staining. Echocardiography was performed to evaluate cardiac function by the determination of ejection fraction, left ventricular internal dimension in diastole and left ventricular internal dimension in systole. The effect of swertiamarin on oxidative stress was evaluated via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The mechanism was evaluated using western blot. Administration of swertiamarin reduced the infarct size of heart tissues in rat models with heart failure. Moreover, swertiamarin treatment ameliorated the cardiac function, increased ejection fraction and fractional shortening, decreased left ventricular internal dimension in diastole and left ventricular internal dimension in systole. Swertiamarin improved oxidative stress with reduced malondialdehyde, while increased superoxide dismutase, glutathione, and GSH peroxidase. Furthermore, nuclear-factor erythroid 2-related factor 2, heme oxygenase and NAD(P)H dehydrogenase (quinone 1) were elevated by swertiamarin treatment in heart tissues of rat model with heart failure. Swertiamarin alleviated heart failure through suppression of oxidative stress response via nuclear-factor erythroid 2-related factor 2/heme oxygenase-1 pathway providing a novel therapeutic strategy for heart failure.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Hongmei Zhao ◽  
Yun Qiu ◽  
Yichen Wu ◽  
Hong Sun ◽  
Sumin Gao

<b><i>Introduction/Aims:</i></b> Hydrogen sulfide (H<sub>2</sub>S) is considered to be the third most important endogenous gasotransmitter in organisms. GYY4137 is a long-acting donor for H<sub>2</sub>S, a gas transmitter that has been shown to prevent multi-organ damage in animal studies. We previously reported the effect of GYY4137 on cardiac ischaemia reperfusion injury (IRI) in diabetic mice. However, the role and mechanism of GYY4137 in renal IRI are poorly understood. The aims of this study were to determine whether GYY4137 can effectively alleviate the injury induced by renal ischaemia reperfusion and to explore its possible mechanism. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Mice received right nephrectomy and clipping of the left renal pedicle for 45 min. GYY4137 was administered by intraperitoneal injection for 2 consecutive days before the operation. The model of hypoxia/reoxygenation injury was established in HK-2 cells, which were pre-treated with or without GYY4137. Renal histology, function, apoptosis, and oxidative stress were measured. Western blot was used to measure the target ­protein after renal IRI. <b><i>Results:</i></b> The results indicated that GYY4137 had a clear protective effect on renal IRI as reflected by the attenuation of renal dysfunction, renal tubule injury, and apoptosis. Moreover, GYY4137 remarkably reduced renal IRI-induced oxidative stress. GYY4137 significantly elevated the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and the expression of antioxidant enzymes regulated by Nrf2, including SOD, HO-1, and NQO-1. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> GYY4137 alleviates ischaemia reperfusion-induced renal injury through activating the antioxidant effect mediated by Nrf2 signalling.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (11) ◽  
pp. 5995
Author(s):  
Chand Basha Davuljigari ◽  
Frederick Adams Ekuban ◽  
Cai Zong ◽  
Alzahraa A. M. Fergany ◽  
Kota Morikawa ◽  
...  

Acrylamide is a well characterized neurotoxicant known to cause neuropathy and encephalopathy in humans and experimental animals. To investigate the role of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) in acrylamide-induced neuropathy, male C57Bl/6JJcl adult mice were exposed to acrylamide at 0, 200 or 300 ppm in drinking water and co-administered with subcutaneous injections of sulforaphane, a known activator of the Nrf2 signaling pathway at 0 or 25 mg/kg body weight daily for 4 weeks. Assessments for neurotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, oxidative stress as well as messenger RNA-expression analysis for Nrf2-antioxidant and pro-inflammatory cytokine genes were conducted. Relative to mice exposed only to acrylamide, co-administration of sulforaphane protected against acrylamide-induced neurotoxic effects such as increase in landing foot spread or decrease in density of noradrenergic axons as well as hepatic necrosis and hemorrhage. Moreover, co-administration of sulforaphane enhanced acrylamide-induced mRNA upregulation of Nrf2 and its downstream antioxidant proteins and suppressed acrylamide-induced mRNA upregulation of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in the cerebral cortex. The results demonstrate that activation of the Nrf2 signaling pathway by co-treatment of sulforaphane provides protection against acrylamide-induced neurotoxicity through suppression of oxidative stress and inflammation. Nrf2 remains an important target for the strategic prevention of acrylamide-induced neurotoxicity.


Antioxidants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 897
Author(s):  
Wen-Ping Jiang ◽  
Jeng-Shyan Deng ◽  
Shyh-Shyun Huang ◽  
Sheng-Hua Wu ◽  
Chin-Chu Chen ◽  
...  

Liver damage induced by paracetamol overdose is the main cause of acute liver failure worldwide. In order to study the hepatoprotective effect of Sanghuangporus sanghuang mycelium (SS) on paracetamol-induced liver injury, SS was administered orally every day for 6 days in mice before paracetamol treatment. SS decreased serum aminotransferase activities and the lipid profiles, protecting against paracetamol hepatotoxicity in mice. Furthermore, SS inhibited the lipid peroxidation marker malondialdehyde (MDA), hepatic cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1), and the histopathological changes in the liver and decreased inflammatory activity by inhibiting the production of proinflammatory cytokines in paracetamol-induced acute liver failure. Moreover, SS improved the levels of glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and catalase in the liver. Significantly, SS diminished mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt), and the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) axis, as well as upregulated the Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1)/erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) pathway, in paracetamol-induced mice. SS mainly inhibited the phosphorylation of the liver kinase B1 (LKB1), Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent kinase kinase β (CaMKKβ), and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) protein expression. Furthermore, the protective effects of SS on paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity were abolished by compound C, an AMPK inhibitor. In summary, we provide novel molecular evidence that SS protects liver cells from paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity by inhibiting oxidative stress and inflammation.


Antioxidants ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 25
Author(s):  
Lara Macchioni ◽  
Davide Chiasserini ◽  
Letizia Mezzasoma ◽  
Magdalena Davidescu ◽  
Pier Luigi Orvietani ◽  
...  

Age-related retinal degenerations, including age-related macular degeneration (AMD), are caused by the loss of retinal pigmented epithelial (RPE) cells and photoreceptors. The pathogenesis of AMD, deeply linked to the aging process, also involves oxidative stress and inflammatory responses. However, the molecular mechanisms contributing to the shift from healthy aging to AMD are still poorly understood. Since RPE cells in the retina are chronically exposed to a pro-oxidant microenvironment throughout life, we simulated in vivo conditions by growing ARPE-19 cells in the presence of 10 μM H2O2 for several passages. This long-term oxidative insult induced senescence in ARPE-19 cells without affecting cell proliferation. Global proteomic analysis revealed a dysregulated expression in proteins involved in antioxidant response, mitochondrial homeostasis, and extracellular matrix organization. The analyses of mitochondrial functionality showed increased mitochondrial biogenesis and ATP generation and improved response to oxidative stress. The latter, however, was linked to nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) rather than nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 (Nrf2) activation. NF-κB hyperactivation also resulted in increased pro-inflammatory cytokines expression and inflammasome activation. Moreover, in response to additional pro-inflammatory insults, senescent ARPE-19 cells underwent an exaggerated inflammatory reaction. Our results indicate senescence as an important link between chronic oxidative insult and detrimental chronic inflammation, with possible future repercussions for therapeutic interventions.


2021 ◽  
pp. 096032712110361
Author(s):  
Hai-Tao Zhang ◽  
Xi-Zeng Wang ◽  
Qing-Mei Zhang ◽  
Han Zhao

Objective To explore the mechanism of chromobox 7 (CBX7)-mediated nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/hemeoxygenase-1 (HO-1) signaling pathway in the cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Methods The experimental wild-type (WT) and CBX7-/- mice were used to establish cerebral I/R models using the middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) surgery to determine CBX7 levels at different time points after MCAO injury. For all mice, neurological behavior, infarct size, water content, and oxidative stress–related indicators were determined, and transferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP-biotin nick-end labeling (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL)) staining method was employed to observe cell apoptosis, while Western blot to measure the expression of CBX7 and Nrf/HO-1 pathway-related proteins. Results At 6 h, 12 h, 24 h, 3 days, and 7 days after mice with MCAO, CBX7 expression was gradually up-regulated and the peak level was reached at 24 h. Mice in the WT + MCAO group had increased infarct size, with significant increases in the modified neurological severity scores and water content in the brain, as well as the quantity of TUNEL-positive cells. For the oxidative stress-indicators, an increase was seen in the content of MDA (malondial dehyde), but the activity of SOD (superoxide dismutase) and content of GSH-PX (glutathione peroxidase) and CAT (catalase) were decreased; meanwhile, the protein expression of CBX7, HO-1, and nuclear Nrf2 was up-regulated, while the cytoplasmic Nrf2 was down-regulated. Moreover, CBX7 knockout attenuated I/R injury in mice. Conclusion Knockout of CBX7 may protect mice from cerebral I/R injury by reducing cell apoptosis and oxidative stress, possibly via activating the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway.


2020 ◽  
Vol 318 (3) ◽  
pp. G419-G427 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tatsuhide Nabeshima ◽  
Shin Hamada ◽  
Keiko Taguchi ◽  
Yu Tanaka ◽  
Ryotaro Matsumoto ◽  
...  

The activation of the Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1)-NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway contributes to cancer progression in addition to oxidative stress responses. Loss-of-function Keap1 mutations were reported to activate Nrf2, leading to cancer progression. We examined the effects of Keap1 deletion in a cholangiocarcinoma mouse model using a mutant K-ras/ p53 mouse. Introduction of the Keap1 deletion into liver-specific mutant K-ras/ p53 expression resulted in the formation of invasive cholangiocarcinoma. Comprehensive analyses of the gene expression profiles identified broad upregulation of Nrf2-target genes such as Nqo1 and Gstm1 in the Keap1-deleted mutant K-ras/ p53 expressing livers, accompanied by upregulation of cholangiocyte-related genes. Among these genes, the transcriptional factor Sox9 was highly expressed in the dysplastic bile duct. The Keap-Nrf2-Sox9 axis might serve as a novel therapeutic target for cholangiocarcinoma. NEW & NOTEWORTHY The Keap1-Nrf2 system has a wide variety of effects in addition to the oxidative stress response in cancer cells. Addition of the liver-specific Keap1 deletion to mice harboring mutant K-ras and p53 accelerated cholangiocarcinoma formation, together with the hallmarks of Nrf2 activation. This process involved the expansion of Sox9-positive cells, indicating increased differentiation toward the cholangiocyte phenotype.


Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (11) ◽  
pp. 3174
Author(s):  
Nhung Quynh Do ◽  
Shengdao Zheng ◽  
Bom Park ◽  
Quynh T. N. Nguyen ◽  
Bo-Ram Choi ◽  
...  

Myrciaria dubia (HBK) McVaugh (camu-camu) belongs to the family Myrtaceae. Although camu-camu has received a great deal of attention for its potential pharmacological activities, there is little information on the anti-oxidative stress and anti-inflammatory effects of camu-camu fruit in skin diseases. In the present study, we investigated the preventative effect of 70% ethanol camu-camu fruit extract against high glucose-induced human keratinocytes. High glucose-induced overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was inhibited by camu-camu fruit treatment. In response to ROS reduction, camu-camu fruit modulated the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK)/activator protein-1 (AP-1), nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB), and nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) signaling pathways related to inflammation by downregulating the expression of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Furthermore, camu-camu fruit treatment activated the expression of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and subsequently increased the NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase1 (NQO1) expression to protect keratinocytes against high-glucose-induced oxidative stress. These results indicate that camu-camu fruit is a promising material for preventing oxidative stress and skin inflammation induced by high glucose level.


Antioxidants ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 39
Author(s):  
Melania Guerrero-Hue ◽  
Sandra Rayego-Mateos ◽  
Cristina Vázquez-Carballo ◽  
Alejandra Palomino-Antolín ◽  
Cristina García-Caballero ◽  
...  

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is one of the fastest-growing causes of death and is predicted to become by 2040 the fifth global cause of death. CKD is characterized by increased oxidative stress and chronic inflammation. However, therapies to slow or prevent CKD progression remain an unmet need. Nrf2 (nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2) is a transcription factor that plays a key role in protection against oxidative stress and regulation of the inflammatory response. Consequently, the use of compounds targeting Nrf2 has generated growing interest for nephrologists. Pre-clinical and clinical studies have demonstrated that Nrf2-inducing strategies prevent CKD progression and protect from acute kidney injury (AKI). In this article, we review current knowledge on the protective mechanisms mediated by Nrf2 against kidney injury, novel therapeutic strategies to induce Nrf2 activation, and the status of ongoing clinical trials targeting Nrf2 in renal diseases.


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