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Updated: Feb 25, 2026

Studying RNA Interactors of Protein Kinase RNA-Activated during the Mammalian Cell Cycle
Published on: March 5, 2019
The short isoform of PML-RARα activates the NRF2/HO-1 pathway through a direct interaction with NRF2
Yulong Li1, Hongyan Wang1,2, Xiu Jun Wang2
1Department of Biochemistry, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.
Abstract:
The NF-E2 p45-related factor 2 (NRF2)-Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 signaling pathway plays an important role in cytoprotection. In acute promyelocytic leukemia, fusion of the promyelocytic leukemia protein (PML) with retinoic acid receptor alpha (RARα) results in an oncogene, PML-RARα (PR). Although previous studies have shown that both RARα and PML inhibit NRF2 activity, how PR regulates NRF2 has not been reported. Here, we discovered that PR-S, the short isoform of PR, potentiates NRF2 activity in a tert-butylhydroquinone (tBHQ) concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, PR-S colocalized with NRF2 in HeLa and HEK293T cells. The association of PR-S and NRF2 is mediated by the DNA-binding domains of RARα and the Neh7 domain of NRF2. Our results define a novel function of PR-S as a NRF2-transcriptional co-activator.
Insights
The short isoform of PML-RARα (PR-S) enhances the activity of the cytoprotective NRF2 pathway. This novel function of PR-S as a NRF2 transcriptional co-activator was discovered in acute promyelocytic leukemia research.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Cellular Signaling
- Oncology
Background:
- The NF-E2 p45-related factor 2 (NRF2) pathway is crucial for cellular protection.
- Acute promyelocytic leukemia involves the PML-RARα (PR) oncogene.
- Previous research indicated RARα and PML inhibit NRF2, but PR's effect was unknown.
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