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Acquisition of iron from transferrin by Bordetella pertussis

K Redhead1, T Hill

  • 1Division of Bacteriology, National Institute for Biological Standards and Control, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire, U.K.

FEMS Microbiology Letters
|January 15, 1991
PubMed

Insights

Bordetella pertussis efficiently acquires iron from human transferrin using direct contact and siderophore systems. Direct contact is a more effective iron uptake mechanism for this bacterium.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Bacterial Pathogenesis
  • Iron Metabolism

Background:

  • Bordetella pertussis requires iron for growth and survival.
  • Iron acquisition is crucial for bacterial pathogens.
  • Human serum contains iron bound to transferrin.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the mechanisms by which Bordetella pertussis acquires iron from human transferrin.
  • To compare the efficiency of different iron uptake systems.

Main Methods:

  • Exposure of Bordetella pertussis to iron-restricted conditions with human transferrin.
  • Analysis of iron uptake via direct contact and siderophore-mediated systems.

Main Results:

  • Bordetella pertussis demonstrated iron uptake from human transferrin within 30 minutes.
  • Two distinct iron acquisition mechanisms were identified: direct contact and siderophore-mediated.
  • Direct contact facilitated significantly more effective iron uptake compared to siderophore activity alone.

Conclusions:

  • Bordetella pertussis employs dual strategies for iron acquisition from transferrin.
  • Direct contact with transferrin represents a highly efficient method for Bordetella pertussis iron uptake.

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