Figure 2.

NRF2 activation in healthy and cancer cells. (A) In healthy cell, under normal conditions NRF2 level is inhibited by KEAP1-mediated proteasomal degradation; under stress conditions, NRF2 dissociates from KEAP1, accumulates in nucleus and activates cytoprotective gene expression. (B) In cancer cells, different molecular mechanisms cause constitutive NRF2 activation that results in drug resistance, stress adaptation, cells proliferation, and activation of metabolic reprogramming and induces expression of genes related to tumor progression. NRF2, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2; KEAP1, Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1; MAF, small musculoaponeurotic fibrosarcoma protein; Pol II; RNA polymerase II; ARE: antioxidant response element.