Hydroquinone regulates hemeoxygenase-1 expression via modulation of Src kinase activity through thiolation of cysteine residues

► Hydroquinone (HQ) induces HO-1 expression in ARE-dependent transcriptional activation of Nrf-2. ► Src knockdown or deficiency strongly abrogates HO-1 expression. ► HQ enhances Src activity by binding to the sulfhydryl group of cysteine residues. ► The Cys-400 and Cys-483 of Src are target residues for HQ-induced thiolation.