Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 is a
protein
Proteins are large biomolecules and macromolecules that comprise one or more long chains of amino acid residues. Proteins perform a vast array of functions within organisms, including catalysing metabolic reactions, DNA replication, respo ...
that in humans is encoded by the ''Keap1''
gene
In biology, the word gene (from , ; "...Wilhelm Johannsen coined the word gene to describe the Mendelian units of heredity..." meaning ''generation'' or ''birth'' or ''gender'') can have several different meanings. The Mendelian gene is a ba ...
.
Structure
Keap1 has four discrete protein domains. The N-terminal Broad complex, Tramtrack and Bric-à-Brac (BTB) domain contains the Cys151 residue, which is one of the important cysteines in stress sensing. The intervening region (IVR) domain contains two critical cysteine residues, Cys273 and Cys288, which are a second group of cysteines important for stress sensing. A double glycine repeat (DGR) and C-terminal region (CTR) domains collaborate to form a
β-propeller
In structural biology, a beta-propeller (β-propeller) is a type of all-β protein architecture characterized by 4 to 8 highly symmetrical blade-shaped beta sheets arranged toroidally around a central axis. Together the beta-sheets form a funnel ...
structure, which is where Keap1 interacts with
Nrf2
Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2), also known as nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2-like 2, is a transcription factor that in humans is encoded by the ''NFE2L2'' gene. NRF2 is a basic leucine zipper (bZIP) protein that may regul ...
.
Interactions
![KEAP1 NRF2 modulating antitumor response](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c7/KEAP1_NRF2_modulating_antitumor_response.jpg)
Keap1 has been shown to
interact
Advocates for Informed Choice, dba interACT or interACT Advocates for Intersex Youth, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization using innovative strategies to advocate for the legal and human rights of children with intersex traits. The organizati ...
with
Nrf2
Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2), also known as nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2-like 2, is a transcription factor that in humans is encoded by the ''NFE2L2'' gene. NRF2 is a basic leucine zipper (bZIP) protein that may regul ...
, a master regulator of the antioxidant response, which is important for the amelioration of
oxidative stress
Oxidative stress reflects an imbalance between the systemic manifestation of reactive oxygen species and a biological system's ability to readily Detoxification, detoxify the reactive intermediates or to repair the resulting damage. Disturbances ...
.
Under quiescent conditions,
Nrf2
Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2), also known as nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2-like 2, is a transcription factor that in humans is encoded by the ''NFE2L2'' gene. NRF2 is a basic leucine zipper (bZIP) protein that may regul ...
is anchored in the cytoplasm through binding to Keap1, which, in turn, facilitates the
ubiquitination
Ubiquitin is a small (8.6 kDa) regulatory protein found in most tissues of eukaryotic organisms, i.e., it is found ''ubiquitously''. It was discovered in 1975 by Gideon Goldstein and further characterized throughout the late 1970s and 1980s. Fo ...
and subsequent
proteolysis
Proteolysis is the breakdown of proteins into smaller polypeptides or amino acids. Uncatalysed, the hydrolysis of peptide bonds is extremely slow, taking hundreds of years. Proteolysis is typically catalysed by cellular enzymes called protease ...
of
Nrf2
Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2), also known as nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2-like 2, is a transcription factor that in humans is encoded by the ''NFE2L2'' gene. NRF2 is a basic leucine zipper (bZIP) protein that may regul ...
. Such sequestration and further degradation of Nrf2 in the cytoplasm are mechanisms for the repressive effects of Keap1 on
Nrf2
Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2), also known as nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2-like 2, is a transcription factor that in humans is encoded by the ''NFE2L2'' gene. NRF2 is a basic leucine zipper (bZIP) protein that may regul ...
. Keap1 is not only a
tumor suppressor
A tumor suppressor gene (TSG), or anti-oncogene, is a gene that regulates a cell during cell division and replication. If the cell grows uncontrollably, it will result in cancer. When a tumor suppressor gene is mutated, it results in a loss or red ...
gene, but also a
metastasis suppressor
A metastasis suppressor is a protein that acts to slow or prevent metastases (secondary tumors) from spreading in the body of an organism with cancer. Metastasis is one of the most lethal cancer processes. This process is responsible for about nine ...
gene.
Recently, several interesting studies have also identified a hidden circuit in NRF2 regulations. In the mouse Keap1 (INrf2) gene, Lee and colleagues found that an AREs located on a negative strand can subtly connect Nrf2 activation to Keap1 transcription. When examining NRF2 occupancies in human lymphocytes, Chorley and colleagues identified an approximately 700 bp locus within the KEAP1 promoter region was consistently top rank enriched, even at the whole-genome scale. These basic findings have depicted a mutually influenced pattern between NRF2 and KEAP1. NRF2-driven KEAP1 expression characterized in human cancer contexts, especially in human squamous cell cancers,
depicted a new perspective in understanding NRF2 signaling regulation.
As a drug target
Because Nrf2 activation leads to a coordinated
antioxidant
Antioxidants are compounds that inhibit oxidation, a chemical reaction that can produce free radicals. This can lead to polymerization and other chain reactions. They are frequently added to industrial products, such as fuels and lubricant ...
and
anti-inflammatory
Anti-inflammatory is the property of a substance or treatment that reduces inflammation or swelling. Anti-inflammatory drugs, also called anti-inflammatories, make up about half of analgesics. These drugs remedy pain by reducing inflammation as o ...
response, and Keap1 represses
Nrf2
Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2), also known as nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2-like 2, is a transcription factor that in humans is encoded by the ''NFE2L2'' gene. NRF2 is a basic leucine zipper (bZIP) protein that may regul ...
activation, Keap1 has become a very attractive drug target.
A series of synthetic oleane
triterpenoid
Triterpenes are a class of chemical compounds composed of three terpene units with the molecular formula C30H48; they may also be thought of as consisting of six isoprene units. Animals, plants and fungi all produce triterpenes, including squale ...
compounds, known as antioxidant inflammation modulators (AIMs), are being developed by
Reata Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and are potent inducers of the Keap1-
Nrf2
Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2), also known as nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2-like 2, is a transcription factor that in humans is encoded by the ''NFE2L2'' gene. NRF2 is a basic leucine zipper (bZIP) protein that may regul ...
pathway, blocking Keap1-dependent
Nrf2
Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2), also known as nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2-like 2, is a transcription factor that in humans is encoded by the ''NFE2L2'' gene. NRF2 is a basic leucine zipper (bZIP) protein that may regul ...
ubiquitination and leading to the stabilization and nuclear translocation of
Nrf2
Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2), also known as nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2-like 2, is a transcription factor that in humans is encoded by the ''NFE2L2'' gene. NRF2 is a basic leucine zipper (bZIP) protein that may regul ...
and subsequent induction of Nrf2 target genes. The lead compound in this series,
bardoxolone methyl
Bardoxolone methyl (also known as “RTA 402”, “CDDO-methyl ester”, CDDO-Me, and more formally methyl bardoxolonate) is an experimental and orally-bioavailable semi-synthetic triterpenoid, based on the scaffold of the natural product olean ...
(also known as CDDO-Me or RTA 402), was in late-stage clinical trials for the treatment of
chronic kidney disease
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a type of kidney disease in which a gradual loss of kidney function occurs over a period of months to years. Initially generally no symptoms are seen, but later symptoms may include leg swelling, feeling tired, vo ...
(CKD) in patients with type 2
diabetes mellitus
Diabetes, also known as diabetes mellitus, is a group of metabolic disorders characterized by a high blood sugar level ( hyperglycemia) over a prolonged period of time. Symptoms often include frequent urination, increased thirst and increased ap ...
and showed an ability to improve markers of renal function in these patients. However, the Phase 3 trial was halted due to safety concerns.
Human health
Mutations in ''KEAP1'' that result in loss-of-function are not linked to familial cancers, though they do predispose individuals to
multinodular goiter
A goitre, or goiter, is a swelling in the neck resulting from an enlarged thyroid gland. A goitre can be associated with a thyroid that is not functioning properly.
Worldwide, over 90% of goitre cases are caused by iodine deficiency. The term is ...
s. The proposed mechanism leading to goiter formation is that the
redox
Redox (reduction–oxidation, , ) is a type of chemical reaction in which the oxidation states of substrate (chemistry), substrate change. Oxidation is the loss of Electron, electrons or an increase in the oxidation state, while reduction ...
stress experienced when the thyroid produces hormones selects for
loss of heterozygosity
Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) is a type of genetic abnormality in diploid organisms in which one copy of an entire gene and its surrounding chromosomal region are lost. Since diploid cells have two copies of their genes, one from each parent, a sing ...
of ''KEAP1'', leading to the goiters.
Gallery
File:KEAP1 NRF2 signaling pathway.jpg, (a) NRF2 and KEAP1 protein domains; (b) KEAP1 homodimerizes through the BTB domain, and through the Kelch domains KEAP1 interacts with NRF2 at the ETGE and DLG motifs
File:KEAP1 and NRF2 interacting with cellular metabolism.jpg, The relationship of the NRF2/KEAP1 pathway with cellular metabolism
References
Further reading
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
{{PDB Gallery, geneid=9817
Kelch proteins