[Role of Nrf2 transcription factor in cellular response to oxidative stress].

Nrf2 transcription factor plays a crucial role in protection of cells against oxidative stress. Under normal conditions Nrf2 is sequestered in cytoplasm by a cytoskeletal protein, Keapl. Situation is changed under stressful conditions,when electrophiles and/or reactiveoxygen species (ROS) cause dissociation of Nrf2 from Keap1. As a consequence, Nrf2 is translocated to the nucleus, that leads to activation of cytoprotective genes involved in electrophile conjugation, excretion of xenobiotics, ROS scavenging and stabilization of cellular redox potential. Amongst xenobiotics, there are many mutagenic and cancerogenic factors. Phase I and II enzymes are responsible for inactivation and removal of such compounds. It has been shown that induction of phase II enzymes confers protection upon insult by reactive metabolites of cancerogens or ROS. Since Nrf2 is an inductor of those enzymes it can be considered as a potential target for cancer chemoprevention. Similarly, in case of neurodegenerative disorders, which pathogenesis is connected to oxidative stress, Nrf2 may be important for therapeutical and preventive strategies