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Nrf2 (NF-E2-Related Factor2)

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Synonyms

NFE2L2; NF-E2-related factor 2; Nrf2

Historical Background

Nrf2 was found as a member of nuclear factor erythroid 2 (NF-E2) transcription factor family in 1994 (Moi et al. 1994). Nrf2 is a basic Leucine Zipper (bZIP) transcription factor that belongs to the Cap’n’Collar (CNC) family (p45-NFE2, Nrf1, Nrf2, and Nrf3) and is expressed ubiquitously in various tissues (Moi et al. 1994). Yamamoto and his colleagues showed that Nrf2 forms a heterodimer with small Mafs and induces phase-II detoxifying enzymes through antioxidant response elements (AREs) in the promoter regions of the target genes (Tong et al. 2006). A myriad of studies have identified Nrf2 as a sensor that acts against oxidative stress or electrophilic chemicals. In spite of the similarity in nucleotide sequences between Nrf2 and NF-E2, it was not involved in erythropoiesis and development in a murine model.

Oxidative stress is featured by high levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which exerts a harmful effect on...

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References

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea grant funded by the Korea government (MEST) (No. 2009-0063233) and the World Class University project (which is also funded by Korea government) (R32-2008-000-10098-0).

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Correspondence to Sang Geon Kim .

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Kim, S.G., Lee, W.H., Kim, Y.W. (2018). Nrf2 (NF-E2-Related Factor2). In: Choi, S. (eds) Encyclopedia of Signaling Molecules. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-67199-4_540

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