Abstract: Objective Observed nuclear respiratory factor-2α(NRF-2α) expression in the rat visual cortex in the normal development and visual deprivation. Methods To build visual deprivation rat model using quantitative PCR and Western blot detection PPAR γ coactivator-1(PGC-1), NRF-2α and mitochondrial transcription factor (mtTFA) expressed in the rat visual cortex. Results Data shows that of visual deprivation rat model resulted in marked reduction of NRFs’ RNA and protein expression (P < 0.05). Conclusion NRF-2α gene transcription and protein expression levels depend on the stimulation of normal visual signal, Our results proved evidence that visual deprivation has much influence on mitochondria function，resulting in a significantly down-regulated expression of NRF-2α.

Key words: NRF-2α, visual deprivation, visual cortex