title: The influence of the synergistic anion on iron chelation by ferric binding protein, a bacterial transferrin.
abstract: Although the presence of an exogenous anion is a requirement for tight Fe(3+) binding by the bacterial (Neisseria) transferrin nFbp, the identity of the exogenous anion is not specific in vitro. nFbp was reconstituted as a stable iron containing protein by using a number of different exogenous anions [arsenate, citrate, nitrilotriacetate, pyrophosphate, and oxalate (symbolized by X)] in addition to phosphate, predominantly present in the recombinant form of the protein. Spectroscopic characterization of the Fe(3+)anion interaction in the reconstituted protein was accomplished by UV-visible and EPR spectroscopies. The affinity of the protein for Fe(3+) is anion dependent, as evidenced by the effective Fe(3+) binding constants (K'(eff)) observed, which range from 1 x 10(17) M(-1) to 4 x 10(18) M(-1) at pH 6.5 and 20 degrees C. The redox potentials for Fe(3+)nFbpXFe(2+)nFbpX reduction are also found to depend on the identity of the synergistic anion required for Fe(3+) sequestration. Facile exchange of exogenous anions (Fe(3+)nFbpX + X' --> Fe(3+)nFbpX' + X) is established and provides a pathway for environmental modulation of the iron chelation and redox characteristics of nFbp. The affinity of the iron loaded protein for exogenous anion binding at pH 6.5 was found to decrease in the order phosphate > arsenate approximately pyrophosphate > nitrilotriacetate > citrate approximately oxalate carbonate. Anion influence on the iron primary coordination sphere through iron binding and redox potential modulation may have in vivo application as a mechanism for periplasmic control of iron delivery to the cytosol.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Duke University, Box 90346, Durham, NC 27708-0346, USA.
authors.forename: Suraj
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dhungana
authors.forename: Celine H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Taboy
authors.forename: Damon S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: Kevin G
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Vaughan
authors.forename: Philip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Aisen
authors.forename: Timothy A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Mietzner
authors.forename: Alvin L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Crumbliss
mesh_terms: D000838:Anions / Q000378:metabolism*; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D027682:Cation Transport Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003600:Cytosol / Q000378:metabolism; D004578:Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy; D007501:Iron / Q000378:metabolism*; D007502:Iron Chelating Agents / Q000378:metabolism*; D007700:Kinetics; D009343:Neisseria / Q000378:metabolism*; D021381:Protein Transport; D013379:Substrate Specificity; D014168:Transferrin / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000838:Anions; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D027682:Cation Transport Proteins; D007502:Iron Chelating Agents; D014168:Transferrin; C471557:iron-transport protein, Neisseria gonorrhoeae; D007501:Iron