Transcriptional Control of the Oxidative Stress Response and Implications of Using Plant Derived Molecules for Therapeutic Interventions in Cancer

The oxidative stress response is critical for malignant cells. It plays a dual role by helping cancer cells survive and proliferate but also causing apoptosis and apoptosis-- like cell death. The oxidative stress response is characterized by tight regulation of gene expression by a series of transcription factors (OSRts; oxidative stress response transcription factors). In this communication, we review the role of OSRts, notably NRF2 and p53 as well as other transcription factors that modulate the response. We discuss how hierarchal the oxidative stress response is and controls ‘live or die’ signals. This is followed by a discussion on how plant-derived molecules, including polyphenols, which are described both as prooxidants and antioxidants within the cancer cells, have been reported to affect the activities of OSRts. Deriving an example from preliminary data from our group, we discuss how plant-derived molecules might modulate the oxidative stress response by causing structural perturbations in the proteinaceous transcription factors, notably Nrf2 and p53. We look at this information in the light of understanding how plant derived molecules may be used as lead compounds to develop modulators of the oxidative stress response.