Nrf2, an Essential Component of Cellular Stress Response, as a Potential Target of Hormetic Phytochemicals
YOUNG-JOON SURH1,2*
1. Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.
2. Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.
ABSTRACT
Living organisms have evolved ubiquitous mechanisms to manage a vast multitude of stressors and noxious conditions. Although Nrf2 mainly plays a major role in cellular antioxidant defence, results from recent studies have highlighted its ubiquitous roles in cellular cytoprotection including anti-inflammatory function. As oxidative stress and inflammatory tissue damage are two major culprits in the pathogenesis of the majority of malignancies and other disorders, Nrf2 is recognized as a potential preventive target. Some chemoprotective and chemopreventive phytochemicals are capable of activating Nrf2 signaling, thereby fortifying cellular defence capacity.
Key words: Nrf2, Keap1, Stress response