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Metal utilization in genome-reduced bacteria: Do human mycoplasmas rely on iron?

Alex Perálvarez-Marín1,2, Eric Baranowski3, Paula Bierge4,5

  • 1Biophysics Unit, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain.

Computational and Structural Biotechnology Journal
|November 12, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Mycoplasmas exhibit varied iron utilization strategies, with larger-genome species like Mycoplasma penetrans possessing more iron-related proteins than minimal-genome species. This highlights their adaptability to host iron restriction.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology and Molecular Biology
  • Bacterial Pathogenesis
  • Nutritional Immunity

Background:

  • Mycoplasmas are parasitic bacteria with reduced genomes and complex nutritional needs.
  • Iron is essential for most organisms, but its role in mycoplasmas is debated.
  • Host organisms restrict iron availability via nutritional immunity, posing a challenge for pathogens.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review and compare the iron-related proteins (enzymes, transporters, metalloregulators) in four human mycoplasma species.
  • To elucidate the differences in iron utilization strategies among mycoplasmas.
  • To understand how mycoplasmas adapt to host iron restriction.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of iron-related proteins in Mycoplasma penetrans, Mycoplasma genitalium, Mycoplasma hominis, and Mycoplasma pneumoniae.
  • Comparative analysis of iron metabolism pathways based on genome size and known protein functions.
  • Discussion of evolutionary adaptations to host nutritional immunity.

Main Results:

  • Mycoplasma penetrans, with the largest genome, displays a comprehensive set of iron-related proteins, including iron-sulfur cluster enzymes and iron transport/storage systems.
  • Minimal-genome species (M. genitalium, M. hominis, M. pneumoniae) show fewer proteins potentially involved in iron homeostasis.
  • Significant variations exist in the iron interplay among these mycoplasma species.

Conclusions:

  • Mycoplasma iron metabolism varies significantly, reflecting their genomic streamlining and evolutionary adaptations.
  • The findings challenge the assumed universal dependence of human-infecting mycoplasmas on iron.
  • Understanding these differences is key to comprehending the unique biology and pathogenicity of these organisms.
Keywords:
ABC, ATP-binding cassetteECF transporterECF, energy-coupling factorFur, ferric uptake regulatorHrl, histidine-rich lipoproteinIron homeostasisMetal acquisitionMetalloenzymeMge, Mycoplasma genitaliumMho, Mycoplasma hominisMollicutesMpe, Mycoplasma penetransMpn, Mycoplasma pneumoniaMycoplasmasPDB, protein data bankRNR, ribonucleotide reductaseXRF, X-ray fluorescenceZIP, zinc-iron permease

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