Fe-S proteins that regulate gene expression

Biochim Biophys Acta. 2015 Jun;1853(6):1284-93. doi: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2014.11.018. Epub 2014 Nov 20.

Abstract

Iron-sulfur (Fe-S) cluster containing proteins that regulate gene expression are present in most organisms. The innate chemistry of their Fe-S cofactors makes these regulatory proteins ideal for sensing environmental signals, such as gases (e.g. O2 and NO), levels of Fe and Fe-S clusters, reactive oxygen species, and redox cycling compounds, to subsequently mediate an adaptive response. Here we review the recent findings that have provided invaluable insight into the mechanism and function of these highly significant Fe-S regulatory proteins. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Fe/S proteins: Analysis, structure, function, biogenesis and diseases.

Keywords: Gene expression; Iron–sulfur (Fe–S) cluster; Regulatory protein; Sensor; Transcription factor.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • DNA, Bacterial / chemistry
  • DNA, Bacterial / genetics
  • DNA, Bacterial / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial
  • Iron / metabolism*
  • Iron-Sulfur Proteins / chemistry
  • Iron-Sulfur Proteins / metabolism*
  • Models, Molecular
  • Nucleic Acid Conformation
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Response Elements*

Substances

  • DNA, Bacterial
  • Iron-Sulfur Proteins
  • Iron