Mechanisms of iron regulation in mycobacteria: role in physiology and virulence

Summary The role of iron in mycobacteria as in other bacteria goes beyond the need for this essential cofactor. Limitation of this metal triggers an extensive response aimed at increasing iron acquisition while coping with iron deficiency. In contrast, iron‐rich environments prompt these prokaryotes...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Molecular microbiology 2003-03, Vol.47 (6), p.1485-1494
Main Authors: Rodriguez, G. Marcela, Smith, Issar
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Feedback, Physiological
Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial
Iron - metabolism
Mycobacterium - pathogenicity
Mycobacterium - physiology
Oxidative Stress
Virulence - physiology
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Summary The role of iron in mycobacteria as in other bacteria goes beyond the need for this essential cofactor. Limitation of this metal triggers an extensive response aimed at increasing iron acquisition while coping with iron deficiency. In contrast, iron‐rich environments prompt these prokaryotes to induce synthesis of iron storage molecules and to increase mechanisms of protection against iron‐mediated oxidative damage. The response to changes in iron availability is strictly regulated in order to maintain sufficient but not excessive and potentially toxic levels of iron in the cell. This response is also linked to other important processes such as protection against oxidative stress and virulence. In bacteria, iron metabolism is regulated by controlling transcription of genes involved in iron uptake, transport and storage. In mycobacteria, this role is fulfilled by the iron‐dependent regulator IdeR. IdeR is an essential protein in Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the causative agent of human tuberculosis. It functions as a repressor of iron acquisition genes, but is also an activator of iron storage genes and a positive regulator of oxidative stress responses.
ISSN:0950-382X
1365-2958
DOI:10.1046/j.1365-2958.2003.03384.x