Ferric uptake regulator (Fur) binds a [2Fe-2S] cluster to regulate intracellular iron homeostasis in Escherichia coli.

ABSTRACT: Intracellular iron homeostasis in bacteria is primarily regulated by ferric uptake regulator (Fur). It has been postulated that when intracellular free iron content is elevated, Fur binds ferrous iron to downregulate the genes for iron uptake. However, the iron-bound Fur had not been identified in any bacteria until we recently found that Escherichia coli Fur binds a [2Fe-2S] cluster, but not a mononuclear iron, in E. coli mutant cells that hyperaccumulate intracellular free iron. Here, we report that E. coli Fur also binds a [2Fe-2S] cluster in wildtype E. coli cells grown in M9 medium supplemented with increasing concentrations of iron under aerobic growth conditions. Additionally, we find that binding of the [2Fe-2S] cluster in Fur turns on its binding activity for specific DNA sequence

SUBMITTER: Fontenot CR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10318462 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature