Interaction with B-type lamin reveals the function of Drosophila Keap1 xenobiotic response factor in nuclear architecture

The Keap1-Nrf2 pathway serves as a central regulator that mediates transcriptional responses to xenobiotic and oxidative stimuli. Recent studies have shown that Keap1 and Nrf2 can regulate transcripts beyond antioxidant and detoxifying genes, yet the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Our research has uncovered that Drosophila Keap1 (dKeap1) and Nrf2 (CncC) proteins can control high-order chromatin structure, including heterochromatin.

In this study, we identified the molecular interaction between dKeap1 and lamin Dm0, the Drosophila B-type lamin responsible for the architecture of nuclear lamina and chromatin. Ectopic expression of dKeap1 led to an ectopic localization of lamin to the intra-nuclear area, corelated with the spreading of the heterochromatin marker H3K9me2 into euchromatin regions. Additionally, mis-regulated dKeap1 disrupted the morphology of the nuclear lamina. Knocking down of dKeap1 partially rescued the lethality induced by lamin overexpression, suggesting their genetic interaction during development.

The discovered dKeap1-lamin interaction suggests a novel role for the Keap1 oxidative/xenobiotic response factor in regulating chromatin architecture.