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The Role of NRF2/KEAP1 Signaling Pathway in Cancer Metabolism

Moon-Young Song1, Da-Young Lee1, Kyung-Soo Chun2

  • 1College of Pharmacy and Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, CHA University, Seongnam 13488, Korea.

International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|April 30, 2021
PubMed

Insights

The NRF2/KEAP1 pathway regulates cellular defense. Aberrant NRF2 activation in cancer drives proliferation via metabolic reprogramming, suggesting this pathway as a novel therapeutic target.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • The nuclear factor-erythroid 2 p45-related factor 2 (NRF2) and Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (KEAP1) are key regulators of cellular redox homeostasis.
  • The NRF2/KEAP1 pathway controls genes involved in detoxification and cytoprotection, conferring resistance to oxidative stress and inflammation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the regulatory mechanisms of the NRF2/KEAP1 pathway in the context of cancer metabolic reprogramming.
  • To highlight the role of NRF2/KEAP1 signaling in cancer cell proliferation and tumorigenesis.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on NRF2/KEAP1 pathway and cancer metabolism.
  • Analysis of molecular mechanisms linking NRF2 activation to metabolic reprogramming in cancer cells.

Main Results:

  • NRF2 is aberrantly activated in various cancers.
  • The NRF2/KEAP1 pathway influences cancer cell proliferation and tumorigenesis through metabolic reprogramming.
  • Dysregulation of this pathway contributes to cancer development and progression.

Conclusions:

  • The NRF2/KEAP1 pathway plays a critical role in mediating metabolic adaptation in cancer.
  • Targeting the NRF2/KEAP1 axis represents a potential novel therapeutic strategy for cancer treatment.
Keywords:
KEAP1NRF2cancer metabolismmetabolic reprogramming

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