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Updated: Jan 30, 2026

Spatiotemporal Control of Protein Activity through Optogenetic Allosteric Regulation
Published on: October 4, 2024
c-Src regulates Nrf2 activity through PKCδ after oxidant stimulus
Lígia Fão1, Sandra I Mota2, A Cristina Rego1
1Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Institute of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
Abstract:
Nrf2 is the main transcription factor involved in expression of cell defense enzymes, which is altered in several oxidant-related disorders. Cytosolic Nrf2 activation is modulated through phosphorylation by PKCδ, an enzyme controlled by Src tyrosine kinases. Of relevance, Src family members are involved in numerous cellular processes and regulated by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). In this study we analysed the activation of cell survival-related signaling proteins, c-Src and Nrf2, and the influence of c-Src kinase on Nrf2 regulation after exposure to H2O2. Acute exposure of HT22 mouse hippocampal neural cells to H2O2 increased c-Src and Nrf2 phosphorylation/activation at Tyr416 and Ser40, respectively. Nrf2 phosphorylation at Ser40, its nuclear accumulation and transcriptional activity involving heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression were dependent on c-Src kinase activation. Moreover, modulation of Nrf2 activity by c-Src occurred through PKCδ phosphorylation at Tyr311. We demonstrate, for the first time, c-Src-mediated regulation of Nrf2 transcriptional activity, via PKCδ activation, following an acute H2O2 stimulus. This work supports that the c-Src/PKCδ/Nrf2 pathway may constitute a novel signaling pathway stimulated by H2O2 and a potential target for the treatment of diseases involving redox deregulation.
Insights
Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) activates the c-Src/PKCδ/Nrf2 pathway, enhancing cell defense enzyme expression. This pathway, regulated by c-Src kinase, offers a potential therapeutic target for redox-related disorders.
Area of Science:
- Cellular signaling pathways
- Redox biology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) regulates cell defense enzymes and is implicated in oxidant-related disorders.
- Protein kinase C delta (PKCδ) and Src tyrosine kinases modulate Nrf2 activity.
- Src family kinases are involved in cellular processes and regulated by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the activation of c-Src and Nrf2 signaling proteins.
- To determine the influence of c-Src kinase on Nrf2 regulation following H2O2 exposure.
- To elucidate the role of the c-Src/PKCδ/Nrf2 pathway in cellular response to oxidative stress.
Main Methods:
- Exposure of HT22 mouse hippocampal neural cells to H2O2.
- Analysis of c-Src and Nrf2 phosphorylation and activation.
- Assessment of Nrf2 nuclear accumulation and transcriptional activity (HO-1 expression).
- Investigation of PKCδ phosphorylation at Tyr311.
Main Results:
- Acute H2O2 exposure increased phosphorylation/activation of c-Src (Tyr416) and Nrf2 (Ser40).
- c-Src kinase activation was essential for Nrf2 phosphorylation at Ser40, nuclear accumulation, and HO-1 expression.
- c-Src modulated Nrf2 activity via PKCδ phosphorylation at Tyr311.
Conclusions:
- The study demonstrates, for the first time, c-Src-mediated regulation of Nrf2 transcriptional activity through PKCδ activation following H2O2 stimulus.
- The c-Src/PKCδ/Nrf2 pathway represents a novel signaling cascade activated by H2O2.
- This pathway is a potential therapeutic target for diseases associated with redox deregulation.
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