Temporal coordination of the transcription factor response to H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> stress.

Jose, Elizabeth; March-Steinman, Woody; Wilson, Bryce A; Shanks, Lisa; Parkinson, Chance; Alvarado-Cruz, Isabel; Sweasy, Joann B; Paek, Andrew L · Nat Commun · 2024

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

Oxidative stress from excess H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> activates transcription factors that restore redox balance and repair oxidative damage. Although many transcription factors are activated by H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>, it is unclear whether they are activated at the same H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> concentration, or time. Dose-dependent activation is likely as oxidative stress is not a singular state and exhibits dose-dependent outcomes including cell-cycle arrest and cell death. Here, we show that transcription factor activation is both dose-dependent and coordinated over time. Low levels of H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> activate p53, NRF2 and JUN. Yet under high H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>, these transcription factors are repressed, and FOXO1, NF-κB, and NFAT1 are activated. Time-lapse imaging revealed that the order in which these two groups of transcription factors are activated depends on whether H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> is administered acutely by bolus addition, or continuously through the glucose oxidase enzyme. Finally, we provide evidence that 2-Cys peroxiredoxins control which group of transcription factors are activated.

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