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Updated: Feb 24, 2026

Measurements of Physiological Stress Responses in C. Elegans
Published on: May 21, 2020
Stress-sensing mechanisms and the physiological roles of the Keap1-Nrf2 system during cellular stress
Takafumi Suzuki1, Masayuki Yamamoto2
1From the Department of Medical Biochemistry, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8575, Japan.
Abstract:
Transcription factor Nrf2 (NF-E2-related factor 2) is a master regulator of cellular responses against environmental stresses. Nrf2 induces the expression of detoxification and antioxidant enzymes and suppresses the induction of pro-inflammatory cytokine genes. Keap1 (Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1) is an adaptor subunit of Cullin 3-based E3 ubiquitin ligase. Keap1 regulates the activity of Nrf2 and acts as a sensor for oxidative and electrophilic stresses. In this review, we discuss the molecular mechanisms by which the Keap1-Nrf2 system senses and regulates the cellular response to environmental stresses. In particular, we focus on the multiple stress-sensing mechanisms of Keap1 and novel regulatory functions of Nrf2.
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