Xenosiderophores: bridging the gap in microbial iron acquisition strategies

Microorganisms acquire iron from surrounding environment through specific iron chelators known as siderophores that can be of self-origin or synthesized by neighboring microbes. The latter are termed as xenosiderophores. The acquired iron supports their growth, survival, and pathogenesis. Various microorganisms possess the ability to utilize xenosiderophores, a mechanism popularly termed as 'siderophore piracy' besides synthesizing their own siderophores. This adaptability allows microorganisms to conserve energy by reducing the load of siderogenesis. Owing to the presence of xenosiderophore transport machinery, these microbial systems can be used for targeting antibiotics-siderophore conjugates to control pathogenesis and combat antimicrobial resistance. This review outlines the significance of xenosiderophore utilization for growth, stress management and virulence. Siderogenesis and the molecular mechanism of its uptake by related organisms have been discussed vividly. It focuses on potential applications like disease diagnostics, drug delivery, and combating antibiotic resistance. In brief, this review highlights the importance of xenosiderophores projecting them beyond their role as mere iron chelators.