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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2016 Nov 1.
Published in final edited form as: Trends Biochem Sci. 2015 Oct 1;40(11):687–700. doi: 10.1016/j.tibs.2015.08.007

Figure 3. Sulfhydration regulates the expression of phase II cytoprotective genes.

Figure 3

Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is the master regulator of a battery of genes, including the phase II genes, which respond to stressful conditions such as oxidative stress. Under basal conditions, Nrf2 is sequestered in the cytosol by kelch-like ECH-associated protein (Keap1), which targets it for proteasomal degradation involving Cul3 and E2 ubiquitin ligases. Keap1 has reactive cysteines, whose sulfhydration results in dissociation from Nrf2. Released Nrf2 translocates to the nucleus to regulate transcription of stress-responsive genes.