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Ferritin in the fungus Phycomyces

C N David, K Easterbrook

    The Journal of Cell Biology
    |January 1, 1971
    PubMed

    Insights

    This study purified iron-protein ferritin from the fungus Phycomyces blakesleeanus, revealing its structure and location within the organism. Ferritin iron levels are shown to be regulated by external iron availability.

    Area of Science:

    • Biochemistry
    • Mycology
    • Cell Biology

    Background:

    • Ferritin is a ubiquitous iron-storage protein found in various organisms.
    • Understanding ferritin's role in fungi like Phycomyces blakesleeanus is crucial for comprehending iron homeostasis in eukaryotic microbes.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To purify and characterize ferritin from Phycomyces blakesleeanus.
    • To investigate the subcellular localization and iron-dependent regulation of ferritin in this fungus.

    Main Methods:

    • Purification of ferritin from fungal mycelium, sporangiophores, and spores.
    • Biophysical characterization including sedimentation coefficient, buoyant density, and electron microscopy.
    • Analysis of ferritin localization via electron microscopy of thin-sections.
    • Iron-supplementation experiments to assess regulatory mechanisms.

    Main Results:

    • Purified Phycomyces ferritin exhibits characteristic properties (protein-to-iron ratio 5, 55S sedimentation coefficient, 1.82 g/cm(3) buoyant density).
    • Apoferritin shows an 18S sedimentation coefficient, with subunits of 25,000 molecular weight.
    • Ferritin forms crystalline monolayers on lipid droplets in the cytoplasm, particularly abundant in spores.
    • Ferritin iron content increases up to 50-fold in response to iron-supplemented growth media.

    Conclusions:

    • Phycomyces blakesleeanus possesses a well-defined ferritin system for iron storage.
    • Ferritin localization on lipid droplets suggests a specific functional role within the cell.
    • The iron-storage capacity of ferritin is dynamically regulated by extracellular iron concentrations.

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