Figure 6. Proposed mechanism for the role of the small GTPase Rac1 in Nox-mediated oxidative stress and neuronal cell death via impaired UPS function.

The environmental pesticide rotenone induces Rac1-dependent activation of Nox complex, which increases oxidative stress via excess ROS and RNS production. Increased oxidative stress mediates misfolded protein aggregation, ER stress, impaired UPS and subsequent cell death.