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Bacterial ferrous iron transport: the Feo system
Cheryl K Y Lau1, Karla D Krewulak1, Hans J Vogel2
1Biochemistry Research Group, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 1N4, Canada.
FEMS Microbiology Reviews
|December 20, 2015
Summary
Bacteria utilize the Feo system for essential ferrous iron uptake, crucial for survival in low-oxygen environments. This review details the Feo system's structure, function, and bioinformatics, enhancing our understanding of bacterial iron transport.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Bacteria require iron for homeostasis, utilizing diverse acquisition systems.
- Ferrous iron (Fe(2+)) uptake is vital for organisms in low-oxygen or acidic conditions.
- The Feo system is a widely distributed, dedicated bacterial ferrous iron transporter.
Purpose of the Study:
- To comprehensively review the structural and functional aspects of the bacterial Feo system.
- To integrate recent structural data with functional insights into Feo proteins (FeoA, FeoB, FeoC).
- To utilize bioinformatics to analyze the feo operon and proteins, offering new perspectives on iron uptake.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on bacterial iron transport systems.
- Analysis of determined three-dimensional structures of Feo proteins.
- Bioinformatics analysis of the feo operon and Feo protein sequences.
Main Results:
- The Feo system is exclusively dedicated to ferrous iron transport in bacteria.
- FeoB and FeoA proteins play key roles in ferrous iron transport and bacterial virulence.
- Recent structural data provides molecular-level insights into the Feo transport mechanism.
- FeoC protein is expressed by a subset of bacteria within the same operon.
Conclusions:
- The Feo system is a critical and ubiquitous bacterial iron uptake mechanism.
- Structural and functional studies of Feo proteins are advancing our understanding of iron transport.
- Bioinformatics analysis complements experimental data, highlighting the Feo system's significance.
- Further research on the Feo system offers potential for novel therapeutic strategies targeting bacterial infections.
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