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Review
. 2025 May;15(5):130.
doi: 10.1007/s13205-025-04303-8. Epub 2025 Apr 16.

Regulation of sulfur starvation-induced proteins

Zixin Liu  1 , Jie Hou  1 , Wenhai Xie  1 , Hongkuan Deng  1 , Lijuan Wang  1   2
Affiliations
Review

Regulation of sulfur starvation-induced proteins

Zixin Liu et al. 3 Biotech. 2025 May.

Abstract

The application of environmentally friendly biological desulfurization (BDS) methods for treating organic sulfur offers significant potential to enhance the utilization of organic sulfur, reduce waste generation, and mitigate environmental harm. Several strains, including Escherichia coli, Rhodococcus erythropolis, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis, have been studied for their sulfur metabolic pathways and regulatory proteins involved in BDS. However, the current understanding of these regulatory mechanisms remains limited. This review outlines the role played by sulfur transport, acquisition and assimilation during sulfur metabolism and biosulfuration in response to sulfur starvation. In addition, we outline the involvement of sulfur starvation-inducible proteins in the L-methionine biosynthetic system. We hope to provide initial insights into the regulation of sulfur starvation-induced proteins. By exploring sulfur metabolism regulatory proteins, this review aims to offer valuable insights for the industrial application of biodesulfurization and unlock new possibilities for future research in this field.

Keywords: Biological desulfurization; L-methionine synthesis; Sulfur metabolism; Sulfur starvation-induced proteins.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interestThe authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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