Investigating the Role of NRF2 in Lipid Droplet Dynamics

The primary aim of this thesis is to investigate and describe the role of the transcription factor NRF2 in sensing fatty acid stress, which leads to the promotion of lipid storage as a protective mechanism. I will begin this chapter by providing background on NRF2 and its known cytoprotective capabilities. I will then discuss the recently characterized mechanism of cell death known as ferroptosis, for which there is increasing evidence that NRF2 promotes transcriptional changes to protect the cell. Next, I will provide background information on lipid droplet (LD) dynamics, as well as the currently known stressors and mechanisms by which the cell senses stress and regulates LDs under physiological and pathophysiological conditions. This chapter will conclude with an overview of the questions which this thesis sought to investigate and will provide background on the significance of this work in furthering our understanding of the relationship between NRF2 and LD dynamics.