[4Fe-4S]-dependent enzymes in non-redox tRNA thiolation.

Post-transcriptional modification of nucleosides in transfer RNAs (tRNAs) is an important process for accurate and efficient translation of the genetic information during protein synthesis in all domains of life. In particular, specific enzymes catalyze the biosynthesis of sulfur-containing nucleosides, such as the derivatives of 2-thiouridine (s2U), 4-thiouridine (s4U), 2-thiocytidine (s2C), and 2-methylthioadenosine (ms2A), within tRNAs. Whereas the mechanism that has prevailed for decades involved persulfide chemistry, more and more tRNA thiolation enzymes have now been shown to contain a [4Fe-4S] cluster. This review summarizes the information over the last ten years concerning the biochemical, spectroscopic and structural characterization of [4Fe-4S]-dependent non-redox tRNA thiolation enzymes.

Unveiling the importance of the C-terminus in the sugar acid dehydratase of the IlvD/EDD superfamily.

Microbial non-phosphorylative oxidative pathways present promising potential in the biosynthesis of platform chemicals from the hemicellulosic fraction of lignocellulose. An L-arabinonate dehydratase from Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. trifolii catalyzes the rate-limiting step in the non-phosphorylative oxidative pathways, that is, converts sugar acid to 2-dehydro-3-deoxy sugar acid. We have shown earlier that the enzyme forms a dimer of dimers, in which the C-terminal histidine residue from one monomer participates in the formation of the active site of an adjacent monomer. The histidine appears to be conserved across the sequences of sugar acid dehydratases. To study the role of the C-terminus, five variants (H579A, H579F, H579L, H579Q, and H579W) were produced. All variants showed decreased activity for the tested sugar acid substrates, except the variant H579L on D-fuconate, which showed about 20% increase in activity. The reaction kinetic data showed that the substrate preference was slightly modified in H579L compared to the wild-type enzyme, demonstrating that the alternation of the substrate preference of sugar acid dehydratases is possible. In addition, a crystal structure of H579L was determined at 2.4 Å with a product analog 2-oxobutyrate. This is the first enzyme-ligand complex structure from an IlvD/EDD superfamily enzyme. The binding of 2-oxobutyrate suggests how the substrate would bind into the active site in the orientation, which could lead to the dehydration reaction. KEY POINTS: • Mutation of the last histidine at the C-terminus changed the catalytic activity of L-arabinonate dehydratase from R. leguminosarum bv. trifolii against various C5/C6 sugar acids. • The variant H579L of L-arabinonate dehydratase showed an alteration of substrate preferences compared with the wild type. • The first enzyme-ligand complex crystal structure of an IlvD/EDD superfamily enzyme was solved.

Structures and Electron Transport Paths in the Four Families of Flavin-Based Electron Bifurcation Enzymes.

Oxidoreductases facilitating electron transfer between molecules are pivotal in metabolic pathways. Flavin-based electron bifurcation (FBEB), a recently discovered energy coupling mechanism in oxidoreductases, enables the reversible division of electron pairs into two acceptors, bridging exergonic and otherwise unfeasible endergonic reactions. This chapter explores the four distinct FBEB complex families and highlights a decade of structural insights into FBEB complexes. In this chapter, we discuss the architecture, electron transfer routes, and conformational changes across all FBEB families, revealing the structural foundation that facilitate these remarkable functions.

Opportunities for Insight into the Mechanism of Efficient CO2/CO Interconversion at a Nickel-Iron Cluster in CO Dehydrogenase.

The reduction of CO2 with low overpotential and high selectivity is a crucial challenge in catalysis. Fortunately, natural systems have evolved enzymes that achieve this catalytic reaction very efficiently at a complex nickel-iron-sulfur cluster within carbon monoxide dehydrogenase (CODH). Extensive biochemical, crystallographic, and spectroscopic work has been done to understand the structures and mechanism involved in the catalytic cycle, which are summarized here from the perspective of mechanistic organometallic chemistry. We highlight the ambiguities in the data and suggest experiments that could lead to clearer understanding of the mechanism and structures of intermediates at the active-site cluster. These include parallel crystallography and spectroscopy, as well as the preparation of synthetic analogues that help to interpret structural and spectroscopic signatures.

The cytosolic form of dual localized BolA family protein Bol3 is important for adaptation to iron starvation in Aspergillus fumigatus.

Aspergillus fumigatus is the predominant mould pathogen for humans. Adaption to host-imposed iron limitation has previously been demonstrated to be essential for its virulence. [2Fe-2S] clusters are crucial as cofactors of several metabolic pathways and mediate cytosolic/nuclear iron sensing in fungi including A. fumigatus. [2Fe-2S] cluster trafficking has been shown to involve BolA family proteins in both mitochondria and the cytosol/nucleus. Interestingly, both A. fumigatus homologues, termed Bol1 and Bol3, possess mitochondrial targeting sequences, suggesting the lack of cytosolic/nuclear versions. Here, we show by the combination of mutational, proteomic and fluorescence microscopic analyses that expression of the Bol3 encoding gene leads to dual localization of gene products to mitochondria and the cytosol/nucleus via alternative translation initiation downstream of the mitochondrial targeting sequence, which appears to be highly conserved in various Aspergillus species. Lack of either mitochondrial Bol1 or Bol3 was phenotypically inconspicuous while lack of cytosolic/nuclear Bol3 impaired growth during iron limitation but not iron sensing which indicates a particular importance of [2Fe-2S] cluster trafficking during iron limitation. Remarkably, cytosolic/nuclear Bol3 differs from the mitochondrial version only by N-terminal acetylation, a finding that was only possible by mutational hypothesis testing.

Evidence for autotrophic growth of purple sulfur bacteria using pyrite as electron and sulfur source.

Purple sulfur bacteria (PSB) are capable of anoxygenic photosynthesis via oxidizing reduced sulfur compounds and are considered key drivers of the sulfur cycle in a range of anoxic environments. In this study, we show that Allochromatium vinosum (a PSB species) is capable of autotrophic growth using pyrite as the electron and sulfur source. Comparative growth profile, substrate characterization, and transcriptomic sequencing data provided valuable insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying the bacterial utilization of pyrite and autotrophic growth. Specifically, the pyrite-supported cell cultures ("py"') demonstrated robust but much slower growth rates and distinct patterns from their sodium sulfide-amended positive controls. Up to ~200-fold upregulation of genes encoding various c- and b-type cytochromes was observed in "py," pointing to the high relevance of these molecules in scavenging and relaying electrons from pyrite to cytoplasmic metabolisms. Conversely, extensive downregulation of genes related to LH and RC complex components indicates that the electron source may have direct control over the bacterial cells' photosynthetic activity. In terms of sulfur metabolism, genes encoding periplasmic or membrane-bound proteins (e.g., FccAB and SoxYZ) were largely upregulated, whereas those encoding cytoplasmic proteins (e.g., Dsr and Apr groups) are extensively suppressed. Other notable differentially expressed genes are related to flagella/fimbriae/pilin(+), metal efflux(+), ferrienterochelin(-), and [NiFe] hydrogenases(+). Characterization of the biologically reacted pyrite indicates the presence of polymeric sulfur. These results have, for the first time, put the interplay of PSB and transition metal sulfide chemistry under the spotlight, with the potential to advance multiple fields, including metal and sulfur biogeochemistry, bacterial extracellular electron transfer, and artificial photosynthesis. IMPORTANCE: Microbial utilization of solid-phase substrates constitutes a critical area of focus in environmental microbiology, offering valuable insights into microbial metabolic processes and adaptability. Recent advancements in this field have profoundly deepened our knowledge of microbial physiology pertinent to these scenarios and spurred innovations in biosynthesis and energy production. Furthermore, research into interactions between microbes and solid-phase substrates has directly linked microbial activities to the surrounding mineralogical environments, thereby enhancing our understanding of the relevant biogeochemical cycles. Our study represents a significant step forward in this field by demonstrating, for the first time, the autotrophic growth of purple sulfur bacteria using insoluble pyrite (FeS2) as both the electron and sulfur source. The presented comparative growth profiles, substrate characterizations, and transcriptomic sequencing data shed light on the relationships between electron donor types, photosynthetic reaction center activities, and potential extracellular electron transfer in these organisms capable of anoxygenic photosynthesis. Furthermore, the findings of our study may provide new insights into early-Earth biogeochemical evolutions, offering valuable constraints for understanding the environmental conditions and microbial processes that shaped our planet's history.

Mitochondrial ribosome biogenesis and redox sensing.

Mitoribosome biogenesis is a complex process involving RNA elements encoded in the mitochondrial genome and mitoribosomal proteins typically encoded in the nuclear genome. This process is orchestrated by extra-ribosomal proteins, nucleus-encoded assembly factors, which play roles across all assembly stages to coordinate ribosomal RNA processing and maturation with the sequential association of ribosomal proteins. Both biochemical studies and recent cryo-EM structures of mammalian mitoribosomes have provided insights into their assembly process. In this article, we will briefly outline the current understanding of mammalian mitoribosome biogenesis pathways and the factors involved. Special attention is devoted to the recent identification of iron-sulfur clusters as structural components of the mitoribosome and a small subunit assembly factor, the existence of redox-sensitive cysteines in mitoribosome proteins and assembly factors, and the role they may play as redox sensor units to regulate mitochondrial translation under stress.

Structural aspects of iron­sulfur protein biogenesis: An NMR view.

Over the last decade, structural aspects involving iron­sulfur (Fe/S) protein biogenesis have played an increasingly important role in understanding the high mechanistic complexity of mitochondrial and cytosolic machineries maturing Fe/S proteins. In this respect, solution NMR has had a significant impact because of its ability to monitor transient protein-protein interactions, which are abundant in the networks of pathways leading to Fe/S cluster biosynthesis and transfer, as well as thanks to the developments of paramagnetic NMR in both terms of new methodologies and accurate data interpretation. Here, we review the use of solution NMR in characterizing the structural aspects of human Fe/S proteins and their interactions in the framework of Fe/S protein biogenesis. We will first present a summary of the recent advances that have been achieved by paramagnetic NMR and then we will focus our attention on the role of solution NMR in the field of human Fe/S protein biogenesis.

On the evolutionary trail of MagRs.

Magnetic sense, or termed magnetoreception, has evolved in a broad range of taxa within the animal kingdom to facilitate orientation and navigation. MagRs, highly conserved A-type iron-sulfur proteins, are widely distributed across all phyla and play essential roles in both magnetoreception and iron-sulfur cluster biogenesis. However, the evolutionary origins and functional diversification of MagRs from their prokaryotic ancestor remain unclear. In this study, MagR sequences from 131 species, ranging from bacteria to humans, were selected for analysis, with 23 representative sequences covering species from prokaryotes to Mollusca, Arthropoda, Osteichthyes, Reptilia, Aves, and mammals chosen for protein expression and purification. Biochemical studies revealed a gradual increase in total iron content in MagRs during evolution. Three types of MagRs were identified, each with distinct iron and/or iron-sulfur cluster binding capacity and protein stability, indicating continuous expansion of the functional roles of MagRs during speciation and evolution. This evolutionary biochemical study provides valuable insights into how evolution shapes the physical and chemical properties of biological molecules such as MagRs and how these properties influence the evolutionary trajectories of MagRs.

Requirements for the biogenesis of [2Fe-2S] proteins in the human and yeast cytosol.

The biogenesis of iron-sulfur (Fe/S) proteins entails the synthesis and trafficking of Fe/S clusters, followed by their insertion into target apoproteins. In eukaryotes, the multiple steps of biogenesis are accomplished by complex protein machineries in both mitochondria and cytosol. The underlying biochemical pathways have been elucidated over the past decades, yet the mechanisms of cytosolic [2Fe-2S] protein assembly have remained ill-defined. Similarly, the precise site of glutathione (GSH) requirement in cytosolic and nuclear Fe/S protein biogenesis is unclear, as is the molecular role of the GSH-dependent cytosolic monothiol glutaredoxins (cGrxs). Here, we investigated these questions in human and yeast cells by various in vivo approaches. [2Fe-2S] cluster assembly of cytosolic target apoproteins required the mitochondrial ISC machinery, the mitochondrial transporter Atm1/ABCB7 and GSH, yet occurred independently of both the CIA system and cGrxs. This mechanism was strikingly different from the ISC-, Atm1/ABCB7-, GSH-, and CIA-dependent assembly of cytosolic-nuclear [4Fe-4S] proteins. One notable exception to this cytosolic [2Fe-2S] protein maturation pathway defined here was yeast Apd1 which used the CIA system via binding to the CIA targeting complex through its C-terminal tryptophan. cGrxs, although attributed as [2Fe-2S] cluster chaperones or trafficking proteins, were not essential in vivo for delivering [2Fe-2S] clusters to either CIA components or target apoproteins. Finally, the most critical GSH requirement was assigned to Atm1-dependent export, i.e. a step before GSH-dependent cGrxs function. Our findings extend the general model of eukaryotic Fe/S protein biogenesis by adding the molecular requirements for cytosolic [2Fe-2S] protein maturation.

Protein lipoylation: mitochondria, cuproptosis, and beyond.

Protein lipoylation, a crucial post-translational modification (PTM), plays a pivotal role in mitochondrial function and emerges as a key player in cell death through cuproptosis. This novel copper-driven cell death pathway is activated by excessive copper ions binding to lipoylated mitochondrial proteins, disrupting energy production and causing lethal protein aggregation and cell death. The intricate relationship among protein lipoylation, cellular energy metabolism, and cuproptosis offers a promising avenue for regulating essential cellular functions. This review focuses on the mechanisms of lipoylation and its significant impact on cell metabolism and cuproptosis, emphasizing the key genes involved and their implications for human diseases. It offers valuable insights into targeting dysregulated cellular metabolism for therapeutic purposes.

Genome mining of Mycobacterium tuberculosis: targeting SufD as a novel drug candidate through in silico characterization and inhibitor screening.

Tuberculosis (TB) stands as the second most fatal infectious disease globally, causing 1.3 million deaths in 2022. The resurgence of TB and the alarming rise of antibiotic resistance demand urgent call to develop novel antituberculosis drugs. Despite concerted efforts to control TB, the disease persists and spreads rapidly on a global scale. Targeting stress response pathways in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) has become imperative to achieve complete eradication. This study employs subtractive genomics to identify and prioritize potential drug targets among the hypothetical proteins of Mtb, focusing on indispensable pathways. Amongst 177 essential hypothetical proteins, 152 were nonhomologous to human. These proteins participated in 34 pathways, and a 20-fold enrichment of SUF pathway genes led to its selection as a target pathway. Fe-S clusters are fundamental, widely distributed protein cofactors involved in vital cellular processes. The survival of Mtb in a hypoxic environment relies on the iron-sulfur (Fe-S) cluster biogenesis pathway for the repair of damaged Fe-S clusters. It also protects pathogen against drugs, ensuring controlled iron utilization and contributing to drug resistance. In Mtb, six proteins of Fe-S cluster assembly pathway are encoded by the suf operon. The present study was focused on SufD because of its role in iron acquisition and prevention of Fenton reaction. The research further delves into the in silico characterization of SufD, utilizing bioinformatics tools for sequence and structure based analysis. The protein's structural features, including the identification of conserved regions, motifs, and 3D structure prediction enhanced functional annotation. Target based virtual screening of compounds from the ChEMBL database resulted in 12 inhibitors with best binding affinities. Drug likeness and ADMET profiling of potential inhibitors identified promising compounds with favorable drug-like properties. The study also involved cloning in SUMO-pRSF-Duet1 expression vector, overexpression, and purification of recombinant SufD from E. coli BL21 (DE3) cells. Optimization of expression conditions resulted in soluble production, and subsequent purification highlighting the efficacy of the SUMO fusion system for challenging Mtb proteins in E. coli. These findings provide valuable insights into pharmacological targets for future experimental studies, holding promise for the development of targeted therapy against Mtb.

Functional Integrity of Radical SAM Enzyme Dph1•Dph2 Requires Non-Canonical Cofactor Motifs with Tandem Cysteines.

The Dph1•Dph2 heterodimer from yeast is a radical SAM (RS) enzyme that generates the 3-amino-3-carboxy-propyl (ACP) precursor for diphthamide, a clinically relevant modification on eukaryotic elongation factor 2 (eEF2). ACP formation requires SAM cleavage and atypical Cys-bound Fe-S clusters in each Dph1 and Dph2 subunit. Intriguingly, the first Cys residue in each motif is found next to another ill-defined cysteine that we show is conserved across eukaryotes. As judged from structural modeling, the orientation of these tandem cysteine motifs (TCMs) suggests a candidate Fe-S cluster ligand role. Hence, we generated, by site-directed DPH1 and DPH2 mutagenesis, Dph1•Dph2 variants with cysteines from each TCM replaced individually or in combination by serines. Assays diagnostic for diphthamide formation in vivo reveal that while single substitutions in the TCM of Dph2 cause mild defects, double mutations almost entirely inactivate the RS enzyme. Based on enhanced Dph1 and Dph2 subunit instability in response to cycloheximide chases, the variants with Cys substitutions in their cofactor motifs are particularly prone to protein degradation. In sum, we identify a fourth functionally cooperative Cys residue within the Fe-S motif of Dph2 and show that the Cys-based cofactor binding motifs in Dph1 and Dph2 are critical for the structural integrity of the dimeric RS enzyme in vivo.

Mitochondrial targeting sequence of magnetoreceptor MagR: More than just targeting.

Iron-sulfur clusters are essential cofactors for proteins involved in various biological processes, such as electron transport, biosynthetic reactions, DNA repair, and gene expression regulation. Iron-sulfur cluster assembly protein IscA1 (or MagR) is found within the mitochondria of most eukaryotes. Magnetoreceptor (MagR) is a highly conserved A-type iron and iron-sulfur cluster-binding protein, characterized by two distinct types of iron-sulfur clusters, [2Fe-2S] and [3Fe-4S], each conferring unique magnetic properties. MagR forms a rod-like polymer structure in complex with photoreceptive cryptochrome (Cry) and serves as a putative magnetoreceptor for retrieving geomagnetic information in animal navigation. Although the N-terminal sequences of MagR vary among species, their specific function remains unknown. In the present study, we found that the N-terminal sequences of pigeon MagR, previously thought to serve as a mitochondrial targeting signal (MTS), were not cleaved following mitochondrial entry but instead modulated the efficiency with which iron-sulfur clusters and irons are bound. Moreover, the N-terminal region of MagR was required for the formation of a stable MagR/Cry complex. Thus, the N-terminal sequences in pigeon MagR fulfil more important functional roles than just mitochondrial targeting. These results further extend our understanding of the function of MagR and provide new insights into the origin of magnetoreception from an evolutionary perspective.

Peptide Mimics of the Cysteine-Rich Regions of HapX and SreA Bind a [2Fe-2S] Cluster In Vitro.

HapX and SreA are transcription factors that regulate the response of the fungus Aspergillus fumigatus to the availability of iron. During iron starvation, HapX represses genes involved in iron consuming pathways and upon a shift to iron excess, HapX activates these same genes. SreA blocks the expression of genes needed for iron uptake during periods of iron availability. Both proteins possess cysteine-rich regions (CRR) that are hypothesized to be necessary for the sensing of iron levels. However, the contribution of each of these domains to the function of the protein has remained unclear. Here, the ability of peptide analogs of each CRR is determined to bind an iron-sulfur cluster in vitro. UV-vis and resonance Raman (RR) spectroscopies reveal that each CRR is capable of coordinating a [2Fe-2S] cluster with comparable affinities. The iron-sulfur cluster coordinated to the CRR-B domain of HapX displays particularly high stability. The data are consistent with HapX and SreA mediating responses to cellular iron levels through the direct coordination of [2Fe-2S] clusters. The high stability of the CRR-B peptide may also find use as a starting point for the development of new green catalysts.

Iron­sulfur clusters in viral proteins: Exploring their elusive nature, roles and new avenues for targeting infections.

Viruses have evolved complex mechanisms to exploit host factors for replication and assembly. In response, host cells have developed strategies to block viruses, engaging in a continuous co-evolutionary battle. This dynamic interaction often revolves around the competition for essential resources necessary for both host cell and virus replication. Notably, iron, required for the biosynthesis of several cofactors, including iron­sulfur (FeS) clusters, represents a critical element in the ongoing competition for resources between infectious agents and host. Although several recent studies have identified FeS cofactors at the core of virus replication machineries, our understanding of their specific roles and the cellular processes responsible for their incorporation into viral proteins remains limited. This review aims to consolidate our current knowledge of viral components that have been characterized as FeS proteins and elucidate how viruses harness these versatile cofactors to their benefit. Its objective is also to propose that viruses may depend on incorporation of FeS cofactors more extensively than is currently known. This has the potential to revolutionize our understanding of viral replication, thereby carrying significant implications for the development of strategies to target infections.

Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge. processed with porcine cardiac blood inhibited GLRX5-mediated ferroptosis alleviating cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury.

BACKGROUND: Cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (CIRI) is a destructive adverse reaction of ischemic stroke, leading to high disability and mortality rates. Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge. (Danshen, DS) processed with porcine cardiac blood (PCB-DS), a characteristic processed product, has promising anti-ischemic effects. However, the underlying mechanism of PCB-DS against CIRI remains unclear. PURPOSE: Ferroptosis is demonstrated to be involved in CIRI. The aim of this study was to explore the molecular mechanism underlying PCB-DS inhibited GLRX5-mediated ferroptosis alleviating CIRI, which was different from DS. METHODS: Quality evaluation of PCB-DS and DS was conducted by UPLC. Pharmacological activities of PCB-DS and DS against CIRI were compared using neurobehavioral scores, infarct volume, proinflammatory factors, and pathological examinations. Proteomics was employed to explore the potential specific mechanism of PCB-DS against CIRI, which was different from DS. Based on the differential protein GLRX5, ferroptosis-related iron, GSH, MDA, SOD, ROS, liperfluo, and mitochondrial morphology were analyzed. Then, the proteins of GLRX5-mediated iron-starvation response and SLC7A11/GPX4 were analyzed. Finally, OGD/R-induced SH-SY5Y cells upon GLRX5 silencing were constructed to demonstrate that PCB-DS improved CIRI by GLRX5-mediated ferroptosis. RESULTS: PCB-DS better alleviated CIRI through decreasing neurological score, reducing the infarct volume, and suppressing the release of inflammatory cytokines than DS. Proteomics suggested that PCB-DS may ameliorate CIRI by inhibiting GLRX5-mediated ferroptosis, which was different from DS. PCB-DS reversed the abnormal mitochondrial morphology, iron, GSH, MDA, SOD, ROS, and liperfluo to inhibit ferroptosis in vitro and in vivo. PCB-DS directly activated GLRX5 suppressing the iron-starvation response and downregulated the SLC7A11/GPX4 signaling pathway to inhibit ferroptosis. Finally, silencing GLRX5 activated the iron-starvation response in SH-SY5Y cells and PCB-DS unimproved OGD/R injury upon GLRX5 silencing. CONCLUSION: Different from DS, PCB-DS suppressed ferroptosis to alleviate CIRI through inhibiting GLRX5-mediated iron-starvation response. These findings give a comprehensive understanding of the molecular mechanism underlying the effect of PCB-DS against CIRI and provide evidence to assess the product in clinical studies.

Characterization of the iron-sulfur clusters in the nitrogenase-like reductase CfbC/D required for coenzyme F430 biosynthesis.

Coenzyme F430 is a nickel-containing tetrapyrrole, serving as the prosthetic group of methyl-coenzyme M reductase in methanogenic and methanotrophic archaea. During coenzyme F430 biosynthesis, the tetrapyrrole macrocycle is reduced by the nitrogenase-like CfbC/D system consisting of the reductase component CfbC and the catalytic component CfbD. Both components are homodimeric proteins, each carrying a [4Fe-4S] cluster. Here, the ligands of the [4Fe-4S] clusters of CfbC2 and CfbD2 were identified revealing an all cysteine ligation of both clusters. Moreover, the midpoint potentials of the [4Fe-4S] clusters were determined to be -256 mV for CfbC2 and -407 mV for CfbD2. These midpoint potentials indicate that the consecutive thermodynamically unfavorable 6 individual "up-hill" electron transfers to the organic moiety of the Ni2+-sirohydrochlorin a,c-diamide substrate require an intricate interplay of ATP-binding, hydrolysis, protein complex formation and release to drive product formation, which is a common theme in nitrogenase-like systems.

Synthesis and characterization of iron clusters with an icosahedral [Fe@Fe12]16+ Core.

Iron-metal clusters are crucial in a variety of critical biological and material systems, including metalloenzymes, catalysts, and magnetic storage devices. However, a synthetic high-nuclear iron cluster has been absent due to the extreme difficulty in stabilizing species with direct iron-iron bonding. In this work, we have synthesized, crystallized, and characterized a (Tp*)4W4S12(Fe@Fe12) cluster (Tp* = tris(3,5-dimethyl-1-pyrazolyl)borate(1-)), which features a rare trideca-nuclear, icosahedral [Fe@Fe12] cluster core with direct multicenter iron-iron bonding between the interstitial iron (Fei) and peripheral irons (Fep), as well as Fep···Fep ferromagnetic coupling. Quantum chemistry studies reveal that the stability of the cluster arises from the 18-electron shell-closing of the [Fe@Fe12]16+ core, assisted by its bonding interactions with the peripheral tridentate [(Tp*)WS3]4- ligands which possess both S→Fe donation and spin-polarized Fe-W σ bonds. The ground-state electron spin is theoretically predicted to be S = 32/2 for the cluster. The existence of low oxidation-state (OS ∼ +1.23) iron in this compound may find interesting applications in magnetic storage, spintronics, redox chemistry, and cluster catalysis.

Iron-sulfur cluster assembly scaffold protein IscU is required for activation of ferric uptake regulator (Fur) in Escherichiacoli.

It was generally postulated that when intracellular free iron content is elevated in bacteria, the ferric uptake regulator (Fur) binds its corepressor a mononuclear ferrous iron to regulate intracellular iron homeostasis. However, the proposed iron-bound Fur had not been identified in any bacteria. In previous studies, we have demonstrated that Escherichia coli Fur binds a [2Fe-2S] cluster in response to elevation of intracellular free iron content and that binding of the [2Fe-2S] cluster turns on Fur as an active repressor to bind a specific DNA sequence known as the Fur-box. Here we find that the iron-sulfur cluster assembly scaffold protein IscU is required for the [2Fe-2S] cluster assembly in Fur, as deletion of IscU inhibits the [2Fe-2S] cluster assembly in Fur and prevents activation of Fur as a repressor in E. coli cells in response to elevation of intracellular free iron content. Additional studies reveal that IscU promotes the [2Fe-2S] cluster assembly in apo-form Fur and restores its Fur-box binding activity in vitro. While IscU is also required for the [2Fe-2S] cluster assembly in the Haemophilus influenzae Fur in E. coli cells, deletion of IscU does not significantly affect the [2Fe-2S] cluster assembly in the E. coli ferredoxin and siderophore-reductase FhuF. Our results suggest that IscU may have a unique role for the [2Fe-2S] cluster assembly in Fur and that regulation of intracellular iron homeostasis is closely coupled with iron-sulfur cluster biogenesis in E. coli.