Molecular characterization of the iron-hydroxamate uptake system in Staphylococcus aureus.

ABSTRACT: To investigate iron uptake, a chromosomal locus containing three consecutive open reading frames, designated fhuC, fhuB, and fhuD, was identified in Staphylococcus aureus. Whereas the fhuC gene encodes an ATP-binding protein, fhuB and fhuD code for ferrichrome permeases and thus resemble an ATP-binding cassette transporter. A fhuB knockout mutant showed impaired uptake of iron bound to the siderophores but not of ferric chloride, suggesting that this operon is specific for siderophore-mediated iron uptake.

SUBMITTER: Cabrera G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC92682 | biostudies-literature | 2001 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature