Nrf2-Independent Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Dimethyl Fumarate: Challenges and Prospects in Developing Electrophilic Nrf2 Activators for Neurodegenerative Diseases

The NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)-antioxidant response element (ARE) pathway is a potential therapeutic target for central nervous system diseases. This review emphasizes the role of oxidative stress and neuroinflammation in neurodegenerative diseases, highlighting the therapeutic potential of Nrf2...

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Main Authors: Yasuhiko Izumi, Yutaka Koyama
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-12-01
Series:Antioxidants
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/13/12/1527
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author Yasuhiko Izumi
Yutaka Koyama
author_facet Yasuhiko Izumi
Yutaka Koyama
author_sort Yasuhiko Izumi
collection DOAJ
description The NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)-antioxidant response element (ARE) pathway is a potential therapeutic target for central nervous system diseases. This review emphasizes the role of oxidative stress and neuroinflammation in neurodegenerative diseases, highlighting the therapeutic potential of Nrf2 activators such as dimethyl fumarate (DMF). DMF, initially administered for treating psoriasis, has demonstrated efficacy in multiple sclerosis and is metabolized to monomethyl fumarate, which may exert significant therapeutic effects. DMF activates the Nrf2-ARE pathway, and recent studies have indicated that its anti-inflammatory effects occur through Nrf2-independent mechanisms. Electrophilic Nrf2 activators, such as DMF, covalently bind to cysteine residues in proteins and modulate their function. We discuss the implications of cysteine residue modifications by DMF, which may cause both therapeutic benefits and potential off-target effects. Furthermore, we propose a chemical proteomics-based drug discovery approach to achieve desired therapeutic effects by selectively covalently modifying cysteines in target proteins. These findings advocate for a broader understanding of the Nrf2-independent mechanisms of electrophilic Nrf2 activators, thereby improving drug discovery strategies that target neurodegenerative diseases while minimizing toxicity.
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spelling doaj-art-809de53e04534325bb081504f13e8a2d2024-12-27T14:06:52ZengMDPI AGAntioxidants2076-39212024-12-011312152710.3390/antiox13121527Nrf2-Independent Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Dimethyl Fumarate: Challenges and Prospects in Developing Electrophilic Nrf2 Activators for Neurodegenerative DiseasesYasuhiko Izumi0Yutaka Koyama1Laboratory of Pharmacology, Kobe Pharmaceutical University, 4-19-1 Motoyamakita-machi, Higashinada-ku, Kobe 658-8558, JapanLaboratory of Pharmacology, Kobe Pharmaceutical University, 4-19-1 Motoyamakita-machi, Higashinada-ku, Kobe 658-8558, JapanThe NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)-antioxidant response element (ARE) pathway is a potential therapeutic target for central nervous system diseases. This review emphasizes the role of oxidative stress and neuroinflammation in neurodegenerative diseases, highlighting the therapeutic potential of Nrf2 activators such as dimethyl fumarate (DMF). DMF, initially administered for treating psoriasis, has demonstrated efficacy in multiple sclerosis and is metabolized to monomethyl fumarate, which may exert significant therapeutic effects. DMF activates the Nrf2-ARE pathway, and recent studies have indicated that its anti-inflammatory effects occur through Nrf2-independent mechanisms. Electrophilic Nrf2 activators, such as DMF, covalently bind to cysteine residues in proteins and modulate their function. We discuss the implications of cysteine residue modifications by DMF, which may cause both therapeutic benefits and potential off-target effects. Furthermore, we propose a chemical proteomics-based drug discovery approach to achieve desired therapeutic effects by selectively covalently modifying cysteines in target proteins. These findings advocate for a broader understanding of the Nrf2-independent mechanisms of electrophilic Nrf2 activators, thereby improving drug discovery strategies that target neurodegenerative diseases while minimizing toxicity.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/13/12/1527electrophilic Nrf2 activatorsantioxidant effectanti-inflammatory effectdimethyl fumaratemonomethyl fumarate
spellingShingle Yasuhiko Izumi
Yutaka Koyama
Nrf2-Independent Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Dimethyl Fumarate: Challenges and Prospects in Developing Electrophilic Nrf2 Activators for Neurodegenerative Diseases
Antioxidants
electrophilic Nrf2 activators
antioxidant effect
anti-inflammatory effect
dimethyl fumarate
monomethyl fumarate
title Nrf2-Independent Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Dimethyl Fumarate: Challenges and Prospects in Developing Electrophilic Nrf2 Activators for Neurodegenerative Diseases
title_full Nrf2-Independent Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Dimethyl Fumarate: Challenges and Prospects in Developing Electrophilic Nrf2 Activators for Neurodegenerative Diseases
title_fullStr Nrf2-Independent Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Dimethyl Fumarate: Challenges and Prospects in Developing Electrophilic Nrf2 Activators for Neurodegenerative Diseases
title_full_unstemmed Nrf2-Independent Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Dimethyl Fumarate: Challenges and Prospects in Developing Electrophilic Nrf2 Activators for Neurodegenerative Diseases
title_short Nrf2-Independent Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Dimethyl Fumarate: Challenges and Prospects in Developing Electrophilic Nrf2 Activators for Neurodegenerative Diseases
title_sort nrf2 independent anti inflammatory effects of dimethyl fumarate challenges and prospects in developing electrophilic nrf2 activators for neurodegenerative diseases
topic electrophilic Nrf2 activators
antioxidant effect
anti-inflammatory effect
dimethyl fumarate
monomethyl fumarate
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/13/12/1527
work_keys_str_mv AT yasuhikoizumi nrf2independentantiinflammatoryeffectsofdimethylfumaratechallengesandprospectsindevelopingelectrophilicnrf2activatorsforneurodegenerativediseases
AT yutakakoyama nrf2independentantiinflammatoryeffectsofdimethylfumaratechallengesandprospectsindevelopingelectrophilicnrf2activatorsforneurodegenerativediseases