Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 23, 2025

A Chromatin Immunoprecipitation Assay to Identify Novel NFAT2 Target Genes in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
09:52

A Chromatin Immunoprecipitation Assay to Identify Novel NFAT2 Target Genes in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Published on: December 4, 2018

7.9K

NRF2 as a regulator of cell metabolism and inflammation in cancer

Feng He1, Laura Antonucci1, Michael Karin1,2

  • 1Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Signal Transduction, Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.

Carcinogenesis
|April 30, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) typically protects cells but is often overactive in cancer, promoting tumor growth and inflammation. This review details NRF2

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Research
  • Cellular Defense Mechanisms

Background:

  • Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) regulates cellular defense against oxidative stress.
  • While NRF2 activation can suppress cancer risk, many cancers display elevated NRF2 activity.
  • Mutations and other factors can lead to dysregulated NRF2, impacting cancer progression.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the multifaceted roles of NRF2 in cancer.
  • To focus on NRF2's impact on metabolic reprogramming in tumors.
  • To examine NRF2's contribution to tumor-promoting inflammation.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of scientific articles.
  • Analysis of NRF2's function in various cancer types.
  • Synthesis of data on NRF2's role in cancer metabolism and inflammation.

Main Results:

  • Elevated NRF2 activity is linked to poor cancer prognosis.
  • NRF2 is a critical driver of cancer-supportive anabolic metabolism.
  • NRF2 activation promotes inflammation that aids tumor development.

Conclusions:

  • NRF2 plays a dual role in cancer, offering protection but also driving malignancy when dysregulated.
  • Targeting NRF2-driven metabolic reprogramming and inflammation is a potential therapeutic strategy.
  • Understanding NRF2's complex functions is crucial for cancer treatment and prevention.

More Related Videos

Synthesis and Characterization of an Aspirin-fumarate Prodrug that Inhibits NFκB Activity and Breast Cancer Stem Cells13:38

Synthesis and Characterization of an Aspirin-fumarate Prodrug that Inhibits NFκB Activity and Breast Cancer Stem Cells

Published on: January 18, 2017

12.6K

Related Concept Videos

NF-κB-dependent Signaling Pathway02:26

NF-κB-dependent Signaling Pathway

The transcription factor NF-κB was discovered in 1986 in the lab of Nobel laureate Professor David Baltimore, for its interaction with the immunoglobulin light chain enhancer in B-cells. After more than three decades of study, it is now evident that NF-κB regulates the expression of over 100 genes. Most of these genes play an essential role in the innate and adaptive immune responses as well as the inflammatory responses of animals.
NF-κB-dependent Signaling Mechanism
The...
9.7K
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...
4.5K
Transducer Mechanism: Nuclear Receptors01:31

Transducer Mechanism: Nuclear Receptors

Nuclear receptors, or NRs, are unique transcription factors that regulate gene transcription and affect the cellular pathways involved in reproduction, development, or metabolism. Their ability to be stimulated by small lipophilic ligands and control vital cellular processes makes them ideal drug targets. Nearly 10-15% of currently prescribed drugs target these receptors.
About 48 different soluble family members of nuclear receptors are identified that can be divided into two main classes:
2.2K
Abnormal Proliferation02:23

Abnormal Proliferation

Under normal conditions, most adult cells remain in a non-proliferative state unless stimulated by internal or external factors to replace lost cells. Abnormal cell proliferation is a condition in which the cell's growth exceeds and is uncoordinated with normal cells. In such situations, cell division persists in the same excessive manner even after cessation of the stimuli, leading to persistent tumors. The tumor arises from the damaged cells that replicate to pass the damage to the...
5.0K
Electron Transport Chain: Complex I and II01:46

Electron Transport Chain: Complex I and II

The mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) is the main energy generation system in the eukaryotic cells. However, mitochondria also produce cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) due to the large electron flow during oxidative phosphorylation. While Complex I is one of the primary sources of superoxide radicals, ROS production by Complex II is uncommon and may only be observed in cancer cells with mutated complexes.
ROS generation is regulated and maintained at moderate levels necessary...
18.2K
PI3K/mTOR/AKT Signaling Pathway01:22

PI3K/mTOR/AKT Signaling Pathway

The mammalian target of rapamycin  (mTOR) is a serine/threonine kinase that regulates growth, proliferation, and cell survival in response to hormones, growth factors, or nutrient availability. This kinase exists in two structurally and functionally distinct forms: mTOR complex 1  (mTORC1) and mTOR complex 2  (mTORC2). The first form (mTORC1) is composed of a rapamycin-sensitive Raptor and proline-rich Akt substrate, PRAS40. In contrast,  mTORC2 consists of a...
5.1K