Activation of NRF2 dramatically enhances generation of glutathione by increasing synthesis of glutathione from intracellular glutamate, cysteine, and glycine. Intracellular glutamate is derived from glutamine through GLS-1. Cystine is imported by the NRF2 target SLC7A11. Serine and glycine are synthesized via NRF2 dependent processes. NADPH is synthesized to support redox metabolism by the pentose phosphate pathway. GLS-1 and SLC7A11 function can be impaired by CB-839 and erastin respectively.
PHGD, phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase; PSAT1, phosphoserine aminotransferase; PSPH, phosphoserine phosphatase; SHMT, serine hydroxymethyltransferase; G6PD, glucose-6-phopshate dehydrogenase; PGLS, 6-phosphogluconolactonase; 6PGD, 6-phosphogluctonate dehydrogenase; TKT, transketolase; TAL, transaldolase; GPX4, glutathione peroxidase 4; GR, glutathione reductase; GLS1, glutaminase 1; GCLC, glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit; GCLM, glutamate-cysteine ligase modifier subunit; GSS, glutathione synthetase; TR, thioredoxin; NAD(P)H, nicotinic adenine dinucleotide (phosphate); PUFA, polyunsaturated fatty acid; THF, tetrahydrofolate