Year: 2021
Type: review
Abstract: It is well known that bacteria and fungi have evolved sophisticated systems for acquiring the abundant but biologically inaccessible trace element iron. These systems are based on high affinity Fe(III)-specific binding compounds called siderophores which function to acquire, transport, and process this essential metal ion. Many hundreds of siderophores are now known and their numbers continue to grow. Extensive studies of their isolation, structure, transport, and molecular genetics have been undertaken in the last three decades and have been comprehensively reviewed many times. In this review we focus on a unique subset of siderophores that has only been recognized in the last 20 years, namely those whose iron complexes display photoactivity. This photoactivity, which typically results in the photooxidation of the siderophore ligand with concomitant reduction of Fe(III) to Fe(II), seemingly upsets the siderophore paradigm of forming and transporting only extremely stable Fe(III) complexes into microbial cells. Here we review their structure, synthesis, photochemistry, photoproduct coordination chemistry and explore the potential biological and ecological consequences of this photoactivity.
Language: English
Subfield: Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
Field: Immunology and Microbiology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,300
Awards: G1552918109, Biogeochemistry of Iron, Iodine and Boron in Marine Plant-like Linages: Synchrotron Radiation Methods for Visualizing Chemical State, Localization and Potential Interactions, CAREER: Controlling mechanical properties of materials using photoactive metal coordination bonds, Bioinorganic Chemistry of Catechols: Siderophores, Adhesive Proteins and Biomimetic Analogs, G5324037292, G5986892838, G6671297155, G7051014984, G959958059
OpenAlex ID: W3156751724