Nuclear factor (erythroid 2)-like factor 3, also known as NFE2L3 or 'NRF3', is a transcription factor that in humans is encoded by the Nfe2l3 gene. [5] [6]
Nrf3 is a basic leucine zipper (bZIP) transcription factor belonging to the Cap ‘n’ Collar (CNC) family of proteins. [7] In 1989, the first CNC transcription factor NFE2L2 was identified. Subsequently, several related proteins were identified, including NFE2L1 and NFE2L3, in different organisms such as humans, mice, and zebrafish. [8] These proteins are specifically encoded in the humans by Nfe2l1 and Nfe2l3 genes respectively. [9] [10]
The Nfe2l3 gene was mapped to the chromosomal location 7p15-p14 by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). [9] It covers 34.93 kB from base 26191830 to 26226754 on the direct DNA strand with an exon count of 4. The gene is found near the HOXA gene cluster, similar to the clustering of p45 NF-E2, NFE2L1, and NFE2L2 near HOXC, HOXB, and HOXD genes respectively. [7] [9] This implies that all four genes were likely derived from a single ancestral gene which was duplicated alongside the ancestral HOX cluster, diverging to give rise to four closely related transcription factors. [9]
The human Nfe2l3 gene encodes a 694 amino acid residue sequence. [7] [9] From bioinformatic analysis, it has been observed that the NRF3 protein shows a high degree of conservation through its evolutionary pathway from zebrafish to humans. Key conserved domains such as N-terminal homology box 1 (NHB1), N-terminal homology box 2 (NHB2), and the CNC domain allude to the conserved functional properties of this transcription factor. [11]
NRF3 is a membrane bound glycoprotein that can be targeted specifically to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and the nuclear membrane. [9] Biochemical studies have identified three migrating endogenous forms of NRF3 protein –A, B, and C –which are constitutively degraded by several proteolytic mechanisms. [9] [12] It is known that the "A" form is glycosylated, whereas "B" is unglycosylated, and "C" is generated by cleavage of "B." [7] [9] In total, seven potential sites of N-linked glycosylation [7] has been observed in the center portion of the NRF3 protein. However, further details of the three forms' location, regulation, and function in each cellular compartment remain unknown.
Expression levels of NRF3 proteins are highest in the placenta. [13] more specifically in the chorionic villi (at week 12 of gestation period) [14] Expression appears to be specific to primary placental cytotrophoblasts, not placental fibroblasts. Along with the placenta, the expression of this protein has also been observed in human choriocarcinoma cell lines which have been derived from trophoblastic tumours of the placenta. NFE2L2 has also been found in the heart, brain, lungs, kidney, pancreas, colon, thymus, leukocytes, and spleen. [15] Very low levels of expression were found in human megakaryocytes and erythrocytes, and NRF3 expression was not observed in reproductive organs of either sex. [9] [16]
The specific functions of the NRF3 protein are still unknown, but some putative functional properties have been inferred from those of NFE2L1 due to their structural similarity. It is known that NRF3 can heterodimerize with small musculo-aponeurotic fibro-sarcoma (MAF genes) factors to bind antioxidant response elements in target genes. [17]
RNA microarray data has shown NRF3's involvement in various malignancies, with over-expression observed in Hodgkin's lymphoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and mantle cell lymphoma. [18] NRF3 expression is also elevated in human breast cancer cells and testicular carcinoma, implying that NRF3 may play a role in inducing carcinogenesis. [19]
GATA-binding factor 1 or GATA-1 is the founding member of the GATA family of transcription factors. This protein is widely expressed throughout vertebrate species. In humans and mice, it is encoded by the GATA1 and Gata1 genes, respectively. These genes are located on the X chromosome in both species.
Jun dimerization protein 2 (JUNDM2) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the JDP2 gene. The Jun dimerization protein is a member of the AP-1 family of transcription factors.
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 regulate the expression of antioxidant proteins that protect against oxidative damage triggered by injury and inflammation, according to preliminary research. In vitro, NRF2 binds to antioxidant response elements (AREs) in the promoter regions of genes encoding cytoprotective proteins. NRF2 induces the expression of heme oxygenase 1 in vitro leading to an increase in phase II enzymes. NRF2 also inhibits the NLRP3 inflammasome.
Friend leukemia integration 1 transcription factor (FLI1), also known as transcription factor ERGB, is a protein that in humans is encoded by the FLI1 gene, which is a proto-oncogene.
Nuclear respiratory factor 1, also known as Nrf1, Nrf-1, NRF1 and NRF-1, encodes a protein that homodimerizes and functions as a transcription factor which activates the expression of some key metabolic genes regulating cellular growth and nuclear genes required for respiration, heme biosynthesis, and mitochondrial DNA transcription and replication. The protein has also been associated with the regulation of neurite outgrowth. Alternate transcriptional splice variants, which encode the same protein, have been characterized. Additional variants encoding different protein isoforms have been described but they have not been fully characterized. Confusion has occurred in bibliographic databases due to the shared symbol of NRF1 for this gene and for "nuclear factor -like 1" which has an official symbol of NFE2L1.
LIM domain only 2, also known as LMO2, RBTNL1, RBTN2, RHOM2, LIM Domain Only Protein 2, TTG2, and T-Cell Translocation Protein 2, is a protein which in humans is encoded by the LMO2 gene.
GA-binding protein alpha chain is a protein that in humans is encoded by the GABPA gene.
Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the Keap1 gene.
Transcription regulator protein BACH1 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the BACH1 gene.
Transcription factor NF-E2 45 kDa subunit is a protein that in humans is encoded by the NFE2 gene.
Transcription factor MafG is a bZip Maf transcription factor protein that in humans is encoded by the MAFG gene.
Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 1 (Nrf1) also known as nuclear factor erythroid-2-like 1 (NFE2L1) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the NFE2L1 gene. Since NFE2L1 is referred to as Nrf1, it is often confused with nuclear respiratory factor 1 (Nrf1).
Kruppel-like factor 13, also known as KLF13, is a protein that in humans is encoded by the KLF13 gene.
B-cell lymphoma/leukemia 11A is a protein that in humans is encoded by the BCL11A gene.
Transcription factor MafK is a bZip Maf transcription factor protein that in humans is encoded by the MAFK gene.
Transcription factor MafF is a bZip Maf transcription factor protein that in humans is encoded by the MAFF gene.
Transcriptional enhancer factor TEF-5 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the TEAD3 gene.
Krueppel-like factor 9 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the KLF9 gene. Previously known as Basic Transcription Element Binding Protein 1, Klf9 is part of the Sp1 C2H2-type zinc finger family of transcription factors. Several previous studies showed Klf9-related regulation of animal development, including cell differentiation of B cells, keratinocytes, and neurons. Klf9 is also a key transcriptional regulator for uterine endometrial cell proliferation, adhesion, and differentiation, all factors that are essential during the process of pregnancy and are turned off during tumorigenesis.
The Basic Leucine Zipper Domain is found in many DNA binding eukaryotic proteins. One part of the domain contains a region that mediates sequence specific DNA binding properties and the leucine zipper that is required to hold together (dimerize) two DNA binding regions. The DNA binding region comprises a number of basic amino acids such as arginine and lysine. Proteins containing this domain are transcription factors.
Small Maf proteins are basic region leucine zipper-type transcription factors that can bind to DNA and regulate gene regulation. There are three small Maf (sMaf) proteins, namely MafF, MafG, and MafK, in vertebrates. HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)-approved gene names of MAFF, MAFG and MAFK are “v-maf avian musculoaponeurotic fibrosarcoma oncogene homolog F, G, and K”, respectively.
This article incorporates text from the United States National Library of Medicine, which is in the public domain.