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Shigella Iron Acquisition Systems and their Regulation
1Department of Biological Sciences, Ohio University Athens, OH, USA.
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology
|February 24, 2016
Summary
Shigella bacteria need iron to survive in the human host. This review details Shigella iron uptake systems and how their production is regulated to manage iron levels.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Molecular Biology
- Immunology
Background:
- Host iron sequestration limits pathogen survival.
- Shigella requires iron for growth and survival within the host.
- Bio-available iron is kept at low levels by the human innate immune system.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review Shigella iron uptake systems.
- To examine the distribution of these systems within the Shigella genus.
- To summarize the regulatory mechanisms controlling iron acquisition system production.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of existing studies on Shigella iron metabolism.
- Analysis of data on the distribution of iron uptake systems across Shigella species.
- Synthesis of current knowledge on molecular regulation of iron acquisition.
Main Results:
- Shigella employs multiple distinct iron uptake systems.
- These systems are distributed across different Shigella species.
- Iron uptake system production is tightly regulated by molecular mechanisms.
Conclusions:
- Iron acquisition is critical for Shigella pathogenesis.
- Understanding these systems and their regulation is key to combating Shigella infections.
- Further research into Shigella iron metabolism can reveal novel therapeutic targets.
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