Iron-sulfur-protein biogenesis in eukaryotes
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 19, 2026

EPR Monitored Redox Titration of the Cofactors of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Nar1
Published on: November 26, 2014
Roland Lill1, Ulrich Mühlenhoff
1Institut für Zytobiologie und Zytopathologie, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Robert-Koch-Strasse 6, D-35033 Marburg, Germany. Lill@mailer.uni-marburg.de
Abstract:
Iron-sulfur (Fe-S) clusters (ISCs) are versatile, ancient co-factors of proteins that are involved in electron transport, enzyme catalysis and regulation of gene expression. The synthesis of ISCs and their insertion into apoproteins involves the function of complex cellular machineries. In eukaryotes, the mitochondrial ISC-assembly machinery is involved in the maturation of all cellular iron-sulfur proteins. A mitochondrial export machinery and a recently discovered cytosolic assembly system specifically participate in the maturation of cytosolic and nuclear iron-sulfur proteins. Of the approximately 20 assembly components, more than ten are encoded by essential genes, which indicates that the process is indispensable for life. Mutations in two of the assembly components lead to neurological diseases. The essential character of Fe-S-protein biogenesis in eukaryotes and its importance for human disease identifies this evolutionary ancient process as one of the most important biosynthetic pathways of life.
Related Concept Videos
Protein Modifications in the RER
Broadly, these modifications can be categorized into four main categories — glycosylation, formation of disulfide bonds, assembly of protein subunits, and specific proteolytic cleavages like removal of signal sequences.
Ribosomal RNA Synthesis
Ribosome biogenesis begins with the synthesis of 5S and 45S pre-rRNAs by distinct RNA polymerases. The primary transcripts are extensively processed and modified before they are bound and folded by ribosomal proteins and assembly factors,...
Sulfur Assimilation
Post-translational Translocation of Proteins to the RER
Targeting proteins to the ER
Hsp40 and Hsp70 chaperone molecules bind the translated proteins in the cytosol to prevent their folding. The chaperone binding helps to keep the signal...
Ribosomes
Ribosome Structure and Assembly
Ribosomes are composed of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and proteins. In eukaryotes, rRNA is transcribed from genes in the nucleolus—a part of the nucleus that specializes in ribosome production. Within...
Ribosomes

