Abstract
BackgroundNuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2) factor 2 (Nrf2) is a crucial transcription factor mediating protection against oxidants. Nrf2 is negatively regulated by cytoplasmic Kelch-like ECH associated protein 1 (Keap1) thereby providing inducible antioxidant defence. Antioxidant properties of Nrf2 are thought to be mainly exerted by stimulating transcription of antioxidant proteins, whereas its effects on ROS production within the cell are uncertain. MethodsLive cell imaging and qPCR in brain hippocampal glio-neuronal cultures and explants slice cultures with graded expression of Nrf2, i.e. Nrf2-knockout (Nrf2-KO), wild-type (WT), and Keap1-knockdown (Keap1-KD). ResultsWe here show that ROS production in Nrf2-KO cells and tissues is increased compared to their WT counterparts. Mitochondrial ROS production is regulated by the Keap1–Nrf2 pathway by controlling mitochondrial bioenergetics. Surprisingly, Keap1-KD cells and tissues also showed higher rates of ROS production when compared to WT, although with a smaller magnitude. Analysis of the mRNA expression levels of the two NOX isoforms implicated in brain pathology showed, that NOX2 is dramatically upregulated under conditions of Nrf2 deficiency, whereas NOX4 is upregulated when Nrf2 is constitutively activated (Keap1-KD) to a degree which paralleled the increases in ROS production. ConclusionsThese observations suggest that the Keap1–Nrf2 pathway regulates both mitochondrial and cytosolic ROS production through NADPH oxidase. General significanceFindings supports a key role of the Keap1–Nrf2 pathway in redox homeostasis within the cell.
Highlights
Nuclear factor factor 2 (Nrf2) is increasingly being recognized as a crucial transcription factor which mediates protection against electrophiles and oxidants and enhances cell survival in many tissues [1]
Cells were grown in Iscoves Modified Eagle's medium (IMDM; Gibco) with each 500 ml bottle supplemented with 5 μg epidermal growth factor (EGF; Invitrogen), 5 ml of insulin transferrin-selenium (ITS; Gibco) and 50 ml foetal bovine serum (FBS; Gibco) and kept at 37 °C with 5% CO2
We found that basal rates of ROS production as measured with dihydroethidium fluorescence in Nrf2-KO mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) were similar to WT (p = ns.)
Summary
Nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2) factor 2 (Nrf2) is a crucial transcription factor mediating protection against oxidants. Antioxidant properties of Nrf are thought to be mainly exerted by stimulating transcription of antioxidant proteins, whereas its effects on ROS production within the cell are uncertain. Results: We here show that ROS production in Nrf2-KO cells and tissues is increased compared to their WT counterparts. Mitochondrial ROS production is regulated by the Keap1–Nrf pathway by controlling mitochondrial bioenergetics. Keap1-KD cells and tissues showed higher rates of ROS production when compared to WT, with a smaller magnitude. Analysis of the mRNA expression levels of the two NOX isoforms implicated in brain pathology showed, that NOX2 is dramatically upregulated under conditions of Nrf deficiency, whereas NOX4 is upregulated when Nrf is constitutively activated (Keap1-KD) to a degree which paralleled the increases in ROS production. Conclusions: These observations suggest that the Keap1–Nrf pathway regulates both mitochondrial and cytosolic ROS production through NADPH oxidase. General significance: Findings supports a key role of the Keap1–Nrf pathway in redox homeostasis within the cell
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