期刊名称：Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
印刷版ISSN：0027-8424
电子版ISSN：1091-6490
出版年度：2010
卷号：107
期号：7
页码：2842-2847
DOI：10.1073/pnas.0914036107
语种：English
出版社：The National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
摘要：Keap1 is a substrate adaptor of a Cullin 3-based E3 ubiquitin ligase complex that recognizes Nrf2, and also acts as a cellular sensor for xenobiotics and oxidative stresses. Nrf2 is a transcriptional factor regulating the expression of cytoprotective enzyme genes in response to such stresses. Under unstressed conditions Keap1 binds Nrf2 and results in rapid degradation of Nrf2 through the proteasome pathway. In contrast, upon exposure to oxidative and electrophilic stress, reactive cysteine residues in intervening region (IVR) and Broad complex, Tramtrack, and Bric-a-Brac domains of Keap1 are modified by electrophiles. This modification prevents Nrf2 from rapid degradation and induces Nrf2 activity by repression of Keap1. Here we report the structure of mouse Keap1 homodimer by single particle electron microscopy. Three-dimensional reconstruction at 24-A resolution revealed two large spheres attached by short linker arms to the sides of a small forked-stem structure, resembling a cherry-bob. Each sphere has a tunnel corresponding to the central hole of the {beta}-propeller domain, as determined by x-ray crystallography. The IVR domain appears to surround the core of the {beta}-propeller domain. The unexpected proximity of IVR to the {beta}-propeller domain suggests that any distortions generated during modification of reactive cysteine residues in the IVR domain may send a derepression signal to the {beta}-propeller domain and thereby stabilize Nrf2. This study thus provides a structural basis for the two-site binding and hinge-latch model of stress sensing by the Nrf2-Keap1 system.
关键词：Nrf2 ; oxidative stress ; single particle analysis ; transmission electron microscopy ; three-dimensional reconstruction
