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Published on: January 18, 2020
Microbial nickel metalloregulation: NikRs for nickel ions
Nuvjeevan S Dosanjh1, Sarah L J Michel
1Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, 20 Penn Street, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, 21201, USA.
Current Opinion in Chemical Biology
|March 1, 2006
Summary
Microbial nickel homeostasis is crucial due to nickel
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Biochemistry
- Structural Biology
Background:
- Nickel is essential for microbial enzymes but toxic at high concentrations.
- Tight regulation of nickel import and homeostasis is vital for bacterial survival.
- Metalloregulatory proteins like NikR control genes involved in nickel metabolism.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the mechanisms of nickel sensing and transport in bacteria.
- To understand the role of NikR proteins in nickel homeostasis.
- To explore nickel transport pathways and storage proteins.
Main Methods:
- Biophysical and biochemical studies.
- Structural analysis of nickel transport and regulatory proteins.
- Investigating microbial nickel uptake and storage mechanisms.
Main Results:
- NikR proteins act as metalloregulators, sensing nickel via allostery and coordination geometry.
- Nickel transport occurs through ABC-type transporters (NikABCDE) and NixA permeases.
- Evidence suggests nickel is transported as a metallophore via NikABCDE.
- Histidine-rich protein (HPN) facilitates nickel storage.
Conclusions:
- NikR proteins are key regulators of nickel metabolism in microbes.
- Multiple pathways exist for nickel import and storage, ensuring cellular homeostasis.
- Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for managing nickel toxicity and utilization in bacteria.
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