More info
Background
NFE2L2(nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2) also known as NRF2 or NFE2-RELATED TRANSCRIPTION FACTOR 2, is a transcription factor that in humans is encoded by theNFE2L2 gene. NFE2, NFE2L1, and NFE2L2 comprise a family of human genes encoding basic leucine zipper (bZIP) transcription factors. NFE2L2 induces the expression of various genes including those that encode for several antioxidant enzymes, and it may play a physiological role in the regulation of oxidative stress. The NFE2L2 gene is located on 2q31.2. The identification of somatic mutations that disrupt the NRF2-KEAP1 interaction to stabilize NRF2 and increase the constitutive transcription of NRF2 target genes indicated that enhanced reactive oxygen species (ROS) detoxification and additional NRF2 functions may in fact be tumorigenic. Oncogene-directed increased expression of Nrf2 is a mechanism for the activation of the Nrf2 antioxidant program evident in primary cells and tissues of mice expressing KRas(G12D) and BRaf(V619E), and in human pancreatic cancer.