p62/KEAP1/NRF2 Pathway Antibody Sampler Kit #48768

The cap ’n’ collar (CNC), leucine zipper (bZIP) transcription factor NRF2 (also called nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NFE2L2)) is the master regulator of the cellular antioxidant response, regulating the expression of over 200 genes that contain antioxidant response elements (AREs) in their regulatory regions by heterodimerizing with small MAF proteins (1). While NRF2 is expressed in all cell types, its basal protein levels are usually kept low during homeostatic conditions, mainly by KEAP1 (Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1). Under normal conditions, KEAP1 binds to and targets NRF2 for ubiquitination-dependent proteasomal degradation. Upon oxidative stress, KEAP1 is modified on some sensor cysteines, affecting its conformation and thus interfering its binding to NRF2, allowing newly synthesized NRF2 to accumulate and translocate to the nucleus to activate its target genes, including HO-1 (heme oxygenase 1) and NQO1 (NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1) (2,3). Another mode of NRF2 regulation involves the autophagy adapter protein p62 (or sequestosome 1 [SQSTM1]) in a KEAP1-dependent but cysteine-independent manner, the so called non-canonical pathway. Autophagy is a tightly regulated cellular quality control system that removes damaged proteins or organelles. Autophagy can also be activated to degrade macromolecules to provide nutrients under cellular starvation stress. p62, especially upon phosphorylation at Ser349 (Ser351 in mouse p62), can compete with NRF2 for binding KEAP1 and, as a result, p62 sequesters KEAP1 into the autophagosome and prevents KEAP1-mediated NRF2 degradation. This process may also require autophagy protein LC3. In addition, studies also found that KEAP1 is a p62-regulated substrate for autophagy-mediated degradation, indicating that p62 also plays a role in controlling KEAP1 turnover (4,5). Dysregulation of autophagy results in prolonged NRF2 activation and this may contribute to many diseases, including cancer and neurodegenerative diseases (6-9).