Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 3, also known as NF-E2-related factor 3 or Nrf3, is a transcription factor

Transcription factor

In molecular biology and genetics, a transcription factor is a protein that binds to specific DNA sequences, thereby controlling the flow of genetic information from DNA to mRNA...

 that in humans is encoded by the NFE2L3 gene

Gene

A gene is a molecular unit of heredity of a living organism. It is a name given to some stretches of DNA and RNA that code for a type of protein or for an RNA chain that has a function in the organism. Living beings depend on genes, as they specify all proteins and functional RNA chains...

.

Function

This gene encodes a member of the cap 'n' collar basic-region leucine zipper (bZIP

BZIP domain

The Basic Leucine Zipper Domain is found in many DNA binding eukaryotic proteins. One part of the domain contains a region that mediates sequence specific DNA binding properties and the leucine zipper that is required for the dimerization of two DNA binding regions. The DNA binding region...

) family of transcription factors. The encoded protein heterodimerizes with small musculoaponeurotic fibrosarcoma factors (MAF

MAF (gene)

Transcription factor Maf also known as proto-oncogene c-Maf or V-maf musculoaponeurotic fibrosarcoma oncogene homolog is a transcription factor that in humans is encoded by the MAF gene.-Types:...

) to bind antioxidant response element

Response element

Response elements are short sequences of DNA within a gene promoter region that are able to bind a specific transcription factor and regulate transcription of genes.-Examples:Examples of response elements include:*Hormone response element...

s in target genes. This protein is a membrane bound glycoprotein

Glycoprotein

Glycoproteins are proteins that contain oligosaccharide chains covalently attached to polypeptide side-chains. The carbohydrate is attached to the protein in a cotranslational or posttranslational modification. This process is known as glycosylation. In proteins that have segments extending...

 that is targeted to the endoplasmic reticulum

Endoplasmic reticulum

The endoplasmic reticulum is an organelle of cells in eukaryotic organisms that forms an interconnected network of tubules, vesicles, and cisternae...

 and the nuclear envelope

Nuclear envelope

A nuclear envelope is a double lipid bilayer that encloses the genetic material in eukaryotic cells. The nuclear envelope also serves as the physical barrier, separating the contents of the nucleus from the cytosol...

.