Nrf2/Keap1 and diabetes: an opportunity for drug discovery?

Chronic oxidative stress has been postulated to drive insulin resistance and diabetic complications. The transcription factor Nrf2 controls multiple endogenous oxidative-stress defense pathways. The activity of Nrf2 is inhibited by its interaction with Keap1, an adaptor protein for a ubiquitin-ligase. Here, an industrial drug discovery approach is described to identify and profile inhibitors of the protein-protein interaction between Nrf2 and Keap1.

About the speaker:

Dieter studied biochemistry in Tuebingen, Germany, where he also attained a PhD in the area of brain metabolism. During a postdoc in the lab of Ann Burchell at the University of Dundee, Scotland he worked on the regulation of hepatic carbohydrate metabolism by insulin. He continued his studies at the University of Greifswald, Germany before joining Sanofi-Aventis in 2002, where he works as a team leader in Drug Discovery for Metabolic Diseases. Dieter is also an adjunct professor at the University of Greifswald Medical School.