The Diversity of Mammalian Hemoproteins and Microbial Heme Scavengers Is Shaped by an Arms Race for Iron Piracy.

ABSTRACT: Iron is an essential micronutrient for most living species. In mammals, hemoglobin (Hb) stores more than two thirds of the body's iron content. In the bloodstream, haptoglobin (Hp) and hemopexin (Hpx) sequester free Hb or heme. Pathogenic microorganisms usually acquire iron from their hosts and have evolved complex systems of iron piracy to circumvent nutritional immunity. Herein, we performed an evolutionary analysis of genes coding for mammalian heme-binding proteins and heme-scavengers in pathogen species. The underlying hypothesis is that these molecules are engaged in a molecular arms race. We show that positive selection drove the evolution of mammalian Hb and Hpx. Positively selected sites in Hb are located at the interaction surface with Neisseria meningitidis heme scavenger

SUBMITTER: Mozzi A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6142043 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature