Monothiol glutaredoxins and A-type proteins: partners in Fe-S cluster trafficking

Dalton Trans. 2013 Mar 7;42(9):3107-15. doi: 10.1039/c2dt32263c. Epub 2013 Jan 4.

Abstract

Monothiol glutaredoxins (Grxs) are proposed to function in Fe-S cluster storage and delivery, based on their ability to exist as apo monomeric forms and dimeric forms containing a subunit-bridging [Fe(2)S(2)](2+) cluster, and to accept [Fe(2)S(2)](2+) clusters from primary scaffold proteins. In addition yeast cytosolic monothiol Grxs interact with Fra2 (Fe repressor of activation-2), to form a heterodimeric complex with a bound [Fe(2)S(2)](2+) cluster that plays a key role in iron sensing and regulation of iron homeostasis. In this work, we report on in vitro UV-visible CD studies of cluster transfer between homodimeric monothiol Grxs and members of the ubiquitous A-type class of Fe-S cluster carrier proteins ((Nif)IscA and SufA). The results reveal rapid, unidirectional, intact and quantitative cluster transfer from the [Fe(2)S(2)](2+) cluster-bound forms of A. thaliana GrxS14, S. cerevisiae Grx3, and A. vinelandii Grx-nif homodimers to A. vinelandii(Nif)IscA and from A. thaliana GrxS14 to A. thaliana SufA1. Coupled with in vivo evidence for interaction between monothiol Grxs and A-type Fe-S cluster carrier proteins, the results indicate that these two classes of proteins work together in cellular Fe-S cluster trafficking. However, cluster transfer is reversed in the presence of Fra2, since the [Fe(2)S(2)](2+) cluster-bound heterodimeric Grx3-Fra2 complex can be formed by intact [Fe(2)S(2)](2+) cluster transfer from (Nif)IscA. The significance of these results for Fe-S cluster biogenesis or repair and the cellular regulation of the Fe-S cluster status are discussed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Azotobacter vinelandii
  • Bacterial Proteins / chemistry
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism*
  • Biological Transport
  • Glutaredoxins / chemistry*
  • Glutaredoxins / metabolism*
  • Iron / metabolism*
  • Protein Multimerization
  • Protein Structure, Quaternary
  • Sulfhydryl Compounds / chemistry*
  • Sulfur / metabolism*

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Glutaredoxins
  • Sulfhydryl Compounds
  • Sulfur
  • Iron