Microbial Iron Metabolism

Microbial Iron Metabolism: A Comprehensive Treatise provides a comprehensive treatment of microbial iron metabolism. It aims to contribute to an increased understanding of the path of iron in microbial species and, eventually, in the plant and animal. The book is organized into five parts. Part I describes some features of iron and its function in the microbial world. These include a historical sketch of the recognition of the importance of iron in cellular physiology; a description of certain physical properties of ferrous and ferric ions; and a list of various known biocoordination derivatives grouped by ligand atom. Metabolism under iron-limited conditions is also examined. Part II presents studies on iron transport, biosynthesis, and storage in microorganisms. Part III examines iron enzymes and proteins, including ferredoxin, rubredoxin, nitrogenase, and hydrogenase. Part IV deals with reactions of inorganic substrates. Part V presents a study on the role of bacterial iron metabolism in infection and immunity.

Every aspect of immune function and host defense is dependent upon a proper supply and balance of nutrients. Severe malnutrition can cause significant alteration in immune response, but even subclinical deficits may be associated with an impaired immune response, and an increased risk of infection. Infectious diseases have accounted for more off-duty days during major wars than combat wounds or nonbattle injuries. Combined stressors may reduce the normal ability of soldiers to resist pathogens, increase their susceptibility to biological warfare agents, and reduce the effectiveness of vaccines intended to protect them. There is also a concern with the inappropriate use of dietary supplements. This book, one of a series, examines the impact of various types of stressors and the role of specific dietary nutrients in maintaining immune function of military personnel in the field. It reviews the impact of compromised nutrition status on immune function; the interaction of health, exercise, and stress (both physical and psychological) in immune function; and the role of nutritional supplements and newer biotechnology methods reported to enhance immune function. The first part of the book contains the committee's workshop summary and evaluation of ongoing research by Army scientists on immune status in special forces troops, responses to the Army's questions, conclusions, and recommendations. The rest of the book contains papers contributed by workshop speakers, grouped under such broad topics as an introduction to what is known about immune function, the assessment of immune function, the effect of nutrition, and the relation between the many and varied stresses encountered by military personnel and their effect on health.

Iron is indispensable for the growth, development and well-being of almost all living organisms. Biological systems from bacteria, fungi and plants to humans have evolved systems for the uptake, utilisation, storage and homeostasis of iron. Its importance for microbial growth makes its uptake systems a natural target for pathogenic microorganisms and parasites. Uniquely, humans suffer from both iron deficiency and iron overload, while the capacity of iron to generate highly reactive free radicals, causing oxidative stress, is associated with a wide range of human pathologies, including many neurodegenerative diseases. Whereas some essential metal ions like copper and zinc are closely linked with iron metabolism, toxic metals like aluminium and cadmium can interfere with iron metabolism. Finally, iron metabolism and homeostasis are key targets for the development of new drugs for human health. The 4th edition of Iron Metabolism is written in a lively style by one of the leaders in the field, presented in colour and covers the latest discoveries in this exciting area. It will be essential reading for researchers and students in biochemistry, molecular biology, microbiology, cell biology, nutrition and medical sciences. Other interested groups include biological inorganic chemists with an interest in iron metabolism, health professionals with an interest in diseases of iron metabolism, or of diseases in which iron uptake systems are involved (eg. microbial and fungal infections, cancer, neurodegenerative disorders), and researchers in the pharmaceutical industry interested in developing novel drugs targeting iron metabolism/homeostasis.

Iron is indispensable for the growth, development and well-being of almost all living organisms. Biological systems from bacteria, fungi and plants to humans have evolved systems for the uptake, utilisation, storage and homeostasis of iron. Its importance for microbial growth makes its uptake systems a natural target for pathogenic microorganisms and parasites. Uniquely, humans suffer from both iron deficiency and iron overload, while the capacity of iron to generate highly reactive free radicals, causing oxidative stress, is associated with a wide range of human pathologies, including many neurodegenerative diseases. Whereas some essential metal ions like copper and zinc are closely linked with iron metabolism, toxic metals like aluminium and cadmium can interfere with iron metabolism. Finally, iron metabolism and homeostasis are key targets for the development of new drugs for human health. The 4th edition of Iron Metabolism is written in a lively style by one of the leaders in the field, presented in colour and covers the latest discoveries in this exciting area. It will be essential reading for researchers and students in biochemistry, molecular biology, microbiology, cell biology, nutrition and medical sciences. Other interested groups include biological inorganic chemists with an interest in iron metabolism, health professionals with an interest in diseases of iron metabolism, or of diseases in which iron uptake systems are involved (eg. microbial and fungal infections, cancer, neurodegenerative disorders), and researchers in the pharmaceutical industry interested in developing novel drugs targeting iron metabolism/homeostasis.

Iron is of fundamental importance for the growth, development and well being of almost all living organisms. Multiple biological systems have been developed for the uptake, utilisation, storage and homeostasis of iron in microbes, plants and mammals. e.g. Both iron deficiency and iron overload are found extensively in man: the intimate links between iron and oxidative stress are associated with a wide range of pathologies; iron has a well established role in infections by a wide range of microorganisms and parasites; there is a close link between iron requirements and cellular division with implications for cancers and other metals such as copper and zinc are closely linked with iron metabolism. The first edition of this book was published in 1991. Since then the extensive impact of molecular cell biology on the field of iron biochemistry has opened new horizons in our understanding of the transport and storage of iron and of its homeostasis. The explosive use of molecular biological techniques applied to cellular biology of iron metabolism has resulted in a rapid expansion in the literature which has led to the need for this second edition. This second edition also: Introduces many illustrations and colour photos to make the basic concepts far clearer Includes new chapters on iron and cell division and interactions of iron with other metals - particularly copper and zinc Provides additional anecdotes Incorporates an extensive and up-to-date bibliography

Iron plays a key role in biology as essential cofactor of numerous proteins. However, since it is only slightly soluble its bioavailability can be readily compromised under aerobic conditions. Moreover, due to its ability to catalyze the generation of free radicals, iron can also be toxic. Thus, it doesn’t surprise that living organisms have developed sophisticated means for acquiring iron whilst tightly controlling the intracellular concentrations of this metal in response to environmental conditions. Also, the critical role of iron has long been acknowledged in host vertebrate-parasite relationships where both partners compete for the acquisition of this essential element and activate complex signaling cascades to control their iron homeostasis during infection. Following the great interest that the mechanisms regulating the acquisition of iron and the control of iron homeostasis have generated among researchers studying plant-pathogen and legume-rhizobia interactions, this book offers a comprehensive analysis of irons’ various roles in the plant-microbial associations. The introductory chapter stresses the essentiality of iron in biological systems. The second chapter surveys the abundance of information on iron’s pivotal role in microbial plant pathogenesis and defence. Finally, the third chapter reviews the advances in our understanding of iron metabolism in the rhizobia, soil bacteria able to establish a symbiotic association with legumes and carry out nitrogen fixation. Molecular Aspects of Iron Metabolism in Pathogenic and Symbiotic Plant-Microbe Associations is a valuable resource to microbiologists, pathologists and scientists interested in iron uptake and metabolism in microbial pathogenesis, rhizobia legume associations, and plant physiology and immunity.

Metallomics and the Cell provides in an authoritative and timely manner in 16 stimulating chapters, written by 37 internationally recognized experts from 9 nations, and supported by more than 3000 references, several tables, and 110 illustrations, mostly in color, a most up-to-date view of the "metallomes" which, as defined in the "omics" world, describe the entire set of biomolecules that interact with or are affected by each metal ion. The most relevant tools for visualizing metal ions in the cell and the most suitable bioinformatic tools for browsing genomes to identify metal-binding proteins are also presented. Thus, MILS-12 is of relevance for structural and systems biology, inorganic biological chemistry, genetics, medicine, diagnostics, as well as teaching, etc.

Iron is essential for the growth of most bacteria because it serves as a cofactor for vital enzymes and for the components of the electron transport chain. Moreover, Iron plays an important role in bacterial pathogenicity; in fact, the iron transport systems in bacteria works as target for designing novel antibiotics. Because iron is not soluble under aerobic conditions, bacteria have had to find ways to overcome iron deficiency. One of them is producing an iron-chelating small organic molecule called siderophore. Indeed, most bacteria and fungi produce structurally and chemically diverse siderophores which are transported back to the cytoplasm using complex energy dependent transport systems. Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas were the first ones to be tested; however, nowadays iron transport systems have been investigated in many other bacteria. Iron Uptake in Bacteria with Emphasis on E. coli and Pseudomonas reviews the recent advancements in the field of iron transport systems in bacteria. Chapter 1 is dedicated to Dr. Dick van der Helm’s contribution to the field of siderophore biology. It then describes and discusses the structural advances in the components and the mechanism of siderophore mediated iron transport systems in E.coli. Chapter 2 details the variety of iron transport and iron regulatory systems of both gram negative and gram positive bacteria. Finally, chapter 3 describes the iron transport systems of Pseudomonas. This book is aimed at researchers in the fields of iron metabolism in multiple organisms, and to those who are interested in studying iron transport systems of bacteria. It appeals also to scientists researching structure and function relationship of proteins.