Cited by 191Genomics, phytochemicals, and oxidative stressRedox biology and oxidative stressNuclear Receptors and Signaling

Neuronal development is promoted by weakened intrinsic antioxidant defences due to epigenetic repression of Nrf2

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Bell, Karen F.S., Al-Mubarak, Bashayer, Martel, Marc-André, McKay, Sean, Wheelan, Nicola, Hasel, Philip, Márkus, Nóra M., Baxter, Paul +11 more·2015·Nature Communications

Abstract

Forebrain neurons have weak intrinsic antioxidant defences compared with astrocytes, but the molecular basis and purpose of this is poorly understood. We show that early in mouse cortical neuronal development in vitro and in vivo , expression of the master-regulator of antioxidant genes, transcription factor NF-E2-related-factor-2 (Nrf2), is repressed by epigenetic inactivation of its promoter. Consequently, in contrast to astrocytes or young neurons, maturing neurons possess negligible Nrf2-dependent antioxidant defences, and exhibit no transcriptional responses to Nrf2 activators, or to ablation of Nrf2’s inhibitor Keap1. Neuronal Nrf2 inactivation seems to be required for proper development: in maturing neurons, ectopic Nrf2 expression inhibits neurite outgrowth and aborization, and electrophysiological maturation, including synaptogenesis. These defects arise because Nrf2 activity buffers neuronal redox status, inhibiting maturation processes dependent on redox-sensitive JNK and Wnt pathways. Thus, developmental epigenetic Nrf2 repression weakens neuronal antioxidant defences but is necessary to create an environment that supports neuronal development.

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Authors
Bell, K. F. S., Al-Mubarak, B., Martel, M.-A., McKay, S., Wheelan, N., Hasel, P., Márkus, N. M., Baxter, P., Deighton, R. F., Serio, A., Bilican, B., Chowdhry, S., Meakin, P. J., Ashford, M. L. J., Wyllie, D. J. A., Scannevin, R. H., Chandran, S., Hayes, J. D., & Hardingham, G. E.
Affiliations
  • University of Edinburgh (GB)
  • MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine (GB)
  • University of Dundee (GB)
  • Biogen (United States) (US)
Corresponding author
Hardingham, Giles E.
Venue
Nature Communications
Published
2015-05-13
Volume
6
Issue
1
Pages
7066-7066
ISSN
2041-1723 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W1823204572
Cited by
191
References
72
Citations by year
2026: 10 · 2025: 21 · 2024: 9 · 2023: 27 · 2022: 18 · 2021: 18 · 2020: 16 · 2019: 19 · 2018: 19 · 2017: 19 · 2016: 13 · 2015: 2
FWCI
7.67
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Nature Communications (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • White Rose Research Online (University of Leeds, The University of Sheffield, University of York) (acceptedVersion)
  • RePEc: Research Papers in Economics (submittedVersion)
  • Discovery Research Portal (University of Dundee) (submittedVersion)
  • Research Portal (King's College London) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • Edinburgh Research Explorer (University of Edinburgh) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
Funders
  • Biogen
  • Wellcome Trust
  • Royal Society
  • Diabetes UK (12/0004458)
  • Medical Research Council
  • Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Genomics, phytochemicals, and oxidative stress
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Redox biology and oxidative stress
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Nuclear Receptors and Signaling
Keywords
Nrf2, neuronal development, epigenetic repression, antioxidant defense, forebrain neurons, cortical neurons, Keap1, redox signaling, JNK signaling, Wnt signaling, synaptogenesis, neurite outgrowth, astrocytes, neuronal maturation
MeSH terms
Kelch-Like ECH-Associated Protein 1, Animals, Antioxidants, Cerebral Cortex, Cytoskeletal Proteins, Neurons, Mice, Knockout, Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental, Epigenesis, Genetic, Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing, NF-E2-Related Factor 2, Mice, Electrophysiological Phenomena

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