title: An overview of the molecular mechanisms and novel roles of Nrf2 in neurodegenerative disorders.
abstract: Recently, growing evidence has demonstrated that nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is a pivotal regulator of endogenous defense systems that function via the activation of a set of protective genes, and this is particularly clear in the central nervous system (CNS). Therefore, it is highly useful to summarize the current literature on the molecular mechanisms and role of Nrf2 in the CNS. In this review, we first briefly introduce the molecular features of Nrf2. We then discuss the regulation, cerebral actions, upstream modulators and downstream targets of Nrf2 pathway. Following this background, we expand our discussion to the role of Nrf2 in several major neurodegenerative disorders (NDDs) such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, multiple sclerosis and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Lastly, we discuss some potential future directions. The information reviewed here may be significant in the design of further experimental research and increase the potential of Nrf2 as a therapeutic target in the future.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, 127 Changle West Road, Xi'an 710032, China; Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Fourth Military Medical University, 169 Changle West Road, Xi'an 710032, China.
authors.forename: Yang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, 127 Changle West Road, Xi'an 710032, China.
authors.forename: Shuai
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, 127 Changle West Road, Xi'an 710032, China.
authors.forename: Juanjuan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, 127 Changle West Road, Xi'an 710032, China.
authors.forename: Yue
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, 127 Changle West Road, Xi'an 710032, China.
authors.forename: Zhenlong
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Xin
authors.affiliation: Department of Scientific Research, The Fourth Military Medical University, 169 Changle West Road, Xi'an 710032, China. Electronic address: yanlin0210@126.com.
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, 127 Changle West Road, Xi'an 710032, China. Electronic address: yanqu1974@126.com.
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Qu
mesh_terms: D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology; D000690:Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D006816:Huntington Disease / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology; D051379:Mice; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology; D051267:NF-E2-Related Factor 2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D019636:Neurodegenerative Diseases / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: D051267:NF-E2-Related Factor 2
keywords: Cerebrum actions; Molecular mechanisms; Neurodegenerative disorders; Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2