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The see-saw of Keap1-Nrf2 pathway in cancer

Poorti Pandey1, Alok Kumar Singh1, Mritunjai Singh1

  • 1Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, 221005, India.

Critical Reviews in Oncology/Hematology
|July 12, 2017
PubMed

Insights

The Keap1-Nrf2 pathway protects cells from oxidative stress. Dysregulation of this pathway may promote tumor growth, highlighting its importance in cancer prevention and treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cellular Biology

Background:

  • The Keap1-Nrf2 pathway is crucial for cellular defense against oxidative stress.
  • Nrf2 (Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2) regulates cytoprotective genes following oxidative insults.
  • Keap1 (Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1) acts as a negative regulator of Nrf2 at the post-transcriptional level.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To critically analyze the dual role of the Keap1-Nrf2 pathway in cytoprotection and potential tumor promotion.
  • To elucidate the current understanding of this pathway's involvement in cellular defense mechanisms.
  • To explore novel therapeutic strategies for cancer prevention and treatment based on Keap1-Nrf2 pathway modulation.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and critical analysis of existing scientific data.
  • Examination of studies investigating the Keap1-Nrf2 interaction and its functional consequences.
  • Synthesis of information regarding the pathway's role in both protective and potentially oncogenic processes.

Main Results:

  • The Keap1-Nrf2 pathway is a well-established mediator of cellular responses to oxidative stress.
  • Post-transcriptional regulation by Keap1 is key to controlling Nrf2 activity.
  • Aberrant Keap1-Nrf2 pathway function is implicated in tumor development.

Conclusions:

  • The Keap1-Nrf2 pathway plays a significant role in maintaining cellular homeostasis against oxidative damage.
  • Understanding the pathway's dysregulation is essential for developing targeted cancer therapies.
  • Further research into this pathway may reveal new avenues for cancer chemoprevention and treatment.
Keywords:
CancerKeap1Nrf2Oxidative stressTumor promoterTumor suppressor

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