Reactive molecules have diverse effects on cells and contribute to several pathological conditions. Cells have evolved complex protective systems to neutralize these molecules and restore redox homeostasis. Previously, we showed that association of nuclear factor (NF)-erythroid-derived 2 (E2)-related factor 2 (NRF2) with the nuclear matrix protein NRP/B was essential for the transcriptional activity of NRF2 target genes in tumor cells. The present study demonstrates the molecular mechanism by which NRP/B, via NRF2, modulates the transcriptional activity of antioxidant response element ( Mammalian cells are exposed to reactive molecules originating from several exogenous and endogenous sources (1, 2). These molecules include reactive oxygen species, electrophilic chemicals, and heavy metals, which induce oxidative stress that impairs cellular functions and results in diverse pathological conditions, such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and neurodegenerative disorders (2-5). In response to these reactive molecules, cells have evolved multiple protective mechanisms to neutralize and clear toxic molecules and restore cellular redox homeostasis. One of these mechanisms is modulated by the nuclear factor (NF) 2 -E2-related factor 2 (NRF2) protein (6), which binds to ARE promoter sequences, leading to the coordinated up-regulation of ARE-driven detoxifying and antioxidant genes (7-11). The NRF2 system confers a protective effect on mammalian cells from a variety of toxic insults including carcinogens, reactive oxygen species, diesel exhaust, inflammation, calcium disturbance, UV light, and cigarette smoke (6).Kelch-related proteins contain an N-terminal BTB (Broadcomplex, Tramtrack, Bric-a-brac) domain that is primarily found in zinc finger proteins and functions as a homo-or heterodimerization domain (12, 13) and a C-terminal Kelch repeat or -propeller domain that binds actin tails and has important roles in protein folding and as a protein-protein interaction module (12, 13). Multiprotein complexes formed through contact sites in -propeller domains (14) are believed to be important for gene expression, cytoskeletal maintenance (15, 16), and controlling cellular organization and morphology (15, 16). Importantly, alterations or mutations in Kelch-related proteins have been found in numerous tumors (14, 17) and neurodegenerative disorders (18). The cytoplasmic protein Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (KEAP1) and the nuclear NRP/B are both members of the Kelch-related family (8,19). The localization of these proteins is important for regulation of the NRF2 pathway in which KEAP1 and NRP/B/ENC1 suppress and enhance, respectively, NRF2-mediated phase II detoxifying and antioxidant enzymes in response to oxidative stress (8,17,20).Six functional domains of NRF2, termed NRF2 ECH homology (Neh) 1-6, have been identified and found to be highly conserved in various species (8). Neh1 is a bZip motif that mediates DNA binding and participates in heterodimerization with 2 The abbreviations used are: NF, nuclear f...