Siderophores and iron transport

Abstract

Siderophores are low-molecular-weight organic compounds produced by bacteria and fungi for Fe(III) supply. Bacteria and fungi biosynthesize siderophores in response to low iron, which are released into the local environment to sequester Fe(III) to form a high-affinity Fe(III)-siderophore complex. This complex can be avidly recognized by selective proteins at the cell surface of the producing species. Following active transport, the Fe(III)–siderophore complex reaches its destination in the cytoplasm, where the element is released for downstream processing and incorporation into enzymes and proteins essential for growth. This elegant supply mechanism traverses a broad intellectual base across inorganic and coordination chemistry, bioorganic chemistry, molecular microbiology, natural product biosynthesis, medicinal chemistry, and chemical and structural biology. Added interest in the field of siderophores is founded upon the potential of these ligands in metal sequestration in other settings, including environmental metals as contaminants or commodities, and as agents for maintaining metal homeostasis or delivering radiometals for imaging. This chapter seeks to provide the reader with an understanding of foundational knowledge of siderophores and iron transport and to ignite a sense of wonder that has captured many researchers worldwide.