Abstract: NR4A1, one of orphan nuclear receptors, is involved in cell survival and apoptosis. Studies about subcellular localization showed that NR4A1 was mainly localized in nucleus as a nuclear transcript factor. Besides, NR4A1 was also found in cytoplasm, especially in mitochondria, which mediated cell function via the mitochondria-related mechanisms. In nucleus, NR4A1 acted as a nuclear factor promoting cell proliferation, while in cytoplasm, NR4A1 promoted apoptosis and autophagy directly or indirectly through mitochondria-related signaling pathways. Researches about NR4A1 involving in cell apoptosis and autophagy were reviewed in this study.

Key words: NR4A1, Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear, Mitochondria, Apoptosis, Autophagy