Longevity & Aging

NRF2 Emerges as a Master Switch for Cell Protection and Metabolic Health

The KEAP1-NRF2 signaling system is a well-established defender against oxidative stress, using sulfur-based chemistry to sense cellular danger and activate protective genes. NRF2 acts as a transcription factor switching on antioxidant, detoxification, and anti-inflammatory genes. This review highlights an expanding role for NRF2 beyond classic cytoprotection — it now appears central to regulating cellular metabolism, mitochondrial function, and a newly characterized arm of sulfur metabolism. Researchers from Tohoku University synthesize current molecular understanding of how NRF2 is regulated and how it contributes to metabolic homeostasis. These findings position NRF2 as a promising therapeutic target not just for oxidative stress-related diseases but potentially for age-related metabolic decline.