Iron-Sulfur (Fe/S) Protein Biogenesis: Phylogenomic and Genetic Studies of A-Type Carriers

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1000497
• Publication Date: 2009-05-28T21:29:58Z
• Authors: Daniel Vinella; Céline Brochier-A...; Laurent Loiseau; Emmanuel Talla; Frédéric Barras
• Keywords: Horizontal Gene Transfer; Iron–sulfur cluster

Iron sulfur (Fe/S) proteins are ubiquitous and participate in multiple biological processes, from photosynthesis to DNA repair. highly reactive chemical species, the mechanisms allowing multiprotein systems ISC SUF assist Fe/S cluster formation vivo have attracted considerable attention. Here, A-Type components of these (ATCs for Carriers) studied by phylogenomic genetic analyses. ATCs that emerged last common ancestor bacteria were conserved most acquired eukaryotes few archaea via horizontal gene transfers. Many contain ATCs, as a result duplication and/or transfer events. Based on evolutionary considerations, we could define three subfamilies: ATC-I, -II -III. Escherichia coli, which has one ATC-I (ErpA) two ATC-IIs (IscA SufA), was used model investigate functional redundancy between vivo. Genetic analyses revealed that, under aerobiosis, E. coli IscA SufA functionally redundant carriers, both potentially able receive an IscU or SufBCD complex it ErpA. In contrast, anaerobiosis, occurs ErpA IscA, clusters them apotarget. Our combined study indicates play crucial role conveying ready-made biogenesis apotargets. We propose wherein biochemical function provides paths supplying This predicts occurrence dynamic network, structure composition vary with growth conditions. As illustration, depict ways given protein be matured, appears dependent demand biogenesis.