The activity of the Nrf2/Keap1 pathway regulates A549 Non-small-cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) cells motility through RhoAROCK1 pathway

Abstract

Purpose: It is observed that Nrf2 transcription factors initiate the production of proteins that play a role in regulating tumor growth, the study aims to discover whether Nrf2 will regulate cell motility in A549 NSCLC cells. The ROCK-RhoA pathway is a significant contributor to cell growth and migration, which can relate to cell motility. There might be a connection between Nrf2 and ROCK-RhoA pathway, the study aims to see whether Nrf2 regulates A549 NSCLC cell motility through ROCK-RhoA pathway. Method: The study will use wound healing assay to visualize cell motility, comparison is made between positive control group(A549 cells treated with brusatol) and negative control group(A549 cells not treated with brusatol), respectively representing the expression level of Nrf2 where it is inhibited or normal. The pathway by which Nrf2 regulates cell motility is studied by western blotting and chemiluminescence. Possible result: There are four main possible results: (1), Nrf2 regulates cell motility in A549 NSCLC cells, the pathway involved in this regulation is ROCK-RhoA pathway. (2), Nrf2 regulates cell motility in A549 cells, however, the pathway involved in this regulation requires further studies to decide. (3), There is no obvious correlation between Nrf2 expression level and cell motility, the inhibition of Nrf2 results in change of expression level of the ROCK-RhoA pathway, however. (4), There is no obvious correlation between Nrf2 expression level and cell motility, ROCK-RhoA pathway is not significantly affected by inhibition of Nrf2 expression, further studies are needed to decide pathways involved. Conclusion: The result of this study provides valuable insights for studying the role of Nrf2 in regulating cell motility and the pathway in the process. It would improve understanding of Nrf2 transcription factor, and how it interacts with pathways to carry out regulation of cell motility. The study also provides future possibilities in terms of cancer treatment and development of gene-based medicine.