Iron-sulfur cluster biogenesis systems and their crosstalk

Abstract

The biogenesis of iron-sulfur clusters ([Fe-S]) plays a very important role in many essential functions of life. Several [Fe-S] biogenesis systems have been discovered, such as the NIF (nitrogen fixation), SUF (mobilisation of sulfur) and ISC (iron-sulfur cluster) systems in bacteria, and the ISC-like and CIA (cytosolic iron-sulfur protein assembly) systems in yeast. Experimental evidence has revealed that SUF and ISC in bacteria communicate with each other partly through IscR to coordinate the utilisation of iron and cysteine. The ISC-like system in yeast is localised to the mitochondria, while the ISC-dependent CIA system is localised to the cytosol; this suggests a possible role for the ISC mitochondrial export machinery in mediating crosstalk between the two systems. Based on genetic analysis, the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana contains three [Fe-S] biogenesis systems similar to SUF, ISC and CIA named AtSUF, AtISC and AtCIA. Possible communication between these three systems has been proposed.