7q32.2

Estrogen-dependent breast cancer

NRF-1 is a redox sensitive transcription factor. Some of the same mitogenic pathways that are sensitive to oxidant levels and estrogen are also directly regulated by NRF-1. For example, the expression of CDC25C, which is required for progression of the cell cycle, is regulated by both E2 and reactive oxygen species ( ROS ) and its promoter contains NRF-1 binding motif. The expression of cyclin D1 is also regulated by both E2 and ROS. There are several estrogen-regulatable genes, which are also regulated by ROS. Cell cycle regulation by the cdks and cyclins is dependent upon cell adhesion mediated by integrins, which control expression of cell cycle genes via ROS. Many of the genes associated with high-risk breast tumors appear to participate in cell cycle regulation, including those encoding CDC2 and PRC1. As noted above, both genes are NRF-1 regulatable. Importantly, in human breast cancer cells, the expression of almost 15% of the genes significantly affected by E2 contain the NRF-1 binding element, and the NRF-1 binding signature is significantly enriched in the promoters of genes induced by estrogen treatment. We have recently shown that inhibitors of mitochondrial oxidant production prevent E2-induced expression of cell cycle genes containing NRF-1 binding sites (cyclin B1, PCNA, and PRC1), decrease E2-induced NRF-1 expression, and delay growth. These findings show that E2 stimulates NRF-1 expression and cell cycle progression of breast cancer cells through ROS, possibly by altering NRF-1 activity.

Breast cancer

Motifs bound by ELK1, E2F, NRF1 and NFY positively correlate with malignant progression of breast cancer.

Colorectal tumors

NRF-1 is also the main transcription factor regulating the expression of human TOMM34 gene that encodes a cytosolic protein with chaperone-like activity. TOMM34 helps import some preproteins to the mitochondria by keeping them in an unfolded, import-compatible state. TOMM34 was found to be upregulated frequently in colorectal tumors, suggesting that it also has a role in the growth of cancer cells.

Hepatoma and thyroid oncocytoma

NRF-1 overexpression has been observed in hepatoma and thyroid oncocytoma.

Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2

Two novel single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the NRF1 gene SNPs (-46127T>C and +98560A>G) are associated with type 2 diabetes in a Han Chinese population. NRF1 genetic polymorphisms may be a suspectibility factor for type 2 diabetes by conferring abnormalities in triglyceride metabolism.
Two common haplotypes of NRF1 gene are found to be associated with type 2 diabetes in the Korean population. A haplotype (H2) is associated with a decreased risk of type 2 diabetes and another haplotype (H4) is associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes.

Endurance exercise capacity

In young Chinese men of Han origin, two NRF1 genotypes have been found to be associated with the baseline and/or training response of human aerobic capacity. NRF1 is a critical component of the energy-sensing mechanism in mammalian cells, and translates physiological signals, including those induced by exercise, into increased capacity for mitochondrial biogenesis and oxidative phosphorylation.