Recombinant E. coli fur protein (Tag Free)

Supplementary information

This supplementary information is collated from multiple sources and compiled automatically.

The ferric uptake regulator commonly known as Fur is a bacterial protein that controls iron homeostasis. Fur generally acts as a transcriptional repressor and has a molecular mass of approximately 17 kDa. This protein is expressed in Escherichia coli and other Gram-negative bacteria. Fur functions by binding to DNA as a homodimer regulating the expression of genes related to iron metabolism and protection against oxidative stress.

Biological function summary

The ferric uptake regulator plays an important role in controlling iron acquisition and storage within the cell. It achieves this by binding to iron which enables Fur to attach to specific DNA sequences known as Fur boxes. By modulating gene expression Fur helps maintain cellular iron levels preventing toxicity caused by excess iron. In addition to functioning independently Fur often interacts with other proteins as part of regulatory complexes to fine-tune metabolic pathways.

Pathways

Ferric uptake regulator integrates into major circuits concerning iron metabolism and oxidative stress response. In the context of the iron acquisition pathway Fur coordinates the regulation of siderophore systems that transport iron across cell membranes. Fur also intersects with the oxidative stress response pathway where it influences proteins like superoxide dismutase. These interactions ensure bacterial survival under oxidative stress conditions and contribute to pathogenesis in some scenarios.

Alterations in Fur function may connect to bacterial infections and iron-related disorders. For example imbalances in Fur activity can lead to overexpression of iron acquisition systems enhancing bacterial virulence and contributing to diseases such as urinary tract infections. In these processes Fur may relate to other proteins like HemO which participates in heme oxygenation further affecting iron availability and bacterial survival within the host.