The Nrf2 antioxidant response pathway plays an important role in the cellular antioxidant defense. Nrf2, a basic leucine zipper transcription factor, induces the expression of antioxidant and phase II enzymes by binding to the ARE (antioxidant response element) region of the gene promoter. Under basal conditions, Nrf2 is retained in the cytosol by binding to the cytoskeletal protein Keap1. Upon exposure to oxidative stress or other ARE activators, Nrf2 is released from Keap1 and translocates to the nucleus, where it can bind to the ARE, leading to the expression of antioxidant and phase II enzymes that protect the cell from oxidative damage.
The ARE Luciferase Reporter Lentivirus are replication incompetent, HIV-based, VSV-G pseudotyped lentiviral particles that are ready to be transduced into almost all types of mammalian cells, including primary and non-dividing cells. The particles contain a firefly luciferase gene driven by ARE located upstream of the minimal TATA promoter. After transduction, activation of the Nrf2 antioxidant response pathway in the target cells can be monitored by measuring the luciferase activity.