Talk:Caffeic acid phenethyl ester

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 * Nrf2 Activator

Each of the benefits described in this article are a result of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) be a potent Nrf2 activator. Eukaryotic cells have evolved anti-oxidant defense mechanisms to neutralize reactive oxygen species (ROS) and maintain cellular redox homeostasis. One of the most important cellular defense mechanisms against ROS and electrophilic intermediates is mediated through the ARE (antioxidant responsive element, or electrophile responsive element) sequence in the promoter regions of phase II and antioxidant genes. The ARE-dependent cellular defense system is controlled by the transcription factor Nrf2. Recent advances in the mechanistic studies of this pathway have provided the following models for Nrf2 regulation: Keap1, a key player in the activation of this pathway, has been identified to function as a molecular switch to turn on and off the Nrf2-mediated antioxidant response. Under basal condition, Keap1 is in the off position and functions as an E3 ubiquitin ligase, constantly targeting Nrf2 for ubiquitination and degradation. As a consequence, the constitutive levels of Nrf2 are very low. The switch is turned on when oxidative stress or chemopreventive compounds inhibit the activity of the Keap1-Cul3-Rbx1 E3 ubiquitin ligase, resulting in increased levels of Nrf2 and activation of its downstream target genes. The switch is turned off again upon recovery of cellular redox homeostasis; Keap1 travels into the nucleus to remove Nrf2 from the ARE. The Nrf2-Keap1 complex is then transported out of the nucleus by the nuclear export signal (NES) in Keap1. A wikipedia article about CAPE should elucidate the mechanisms behind the health benefits described. I don't revise articles, because I'm not up for the fight, but I suggest a contributor with more patience or administrator pull make the update. RGK 71.105.21.187 (talk) 05:39, 20 August 2012 (UTC) RGK (talk) 05:45, 20 August 2012 (UTC)