Iron regulatory proteins secure mitochondrial iron sufficiency and function

Iron regulatory protein-1 and -2: transcriptome-wide definition of binding mRNAs and shaping of the cellular proteome by iron regulatory proteins

Iron regulatory proteins (IRPs) 1 and 2 are RNA-binding proteins that control cellular iron metabolism by binding to conserved RNA motifs called iron-responsive elements (IREs). The currently known IRP-binding mRNAs encode proteins involved in iron uptake, storage, and release as well as heme synthesis. To systematically define the IRE/IRP regulatory network on a transcriptome-wide scale, IRP1/IRE and IRP2/IRE messenger ribonucleoprotein complexes were immunoselected, and the mRNA composition was determined using microarrays. We identify 35 novel mRNAs that bind both IRP1 and IRP2, and we also report for the first time cellular mRNAs with exclusive specificity for IRP1 or IRP2. To further explore cellular iron metabolism at a system-wide level, we undertook proteomic analysis by pulsed stable isotope labeling by amino acids in cell culture in an iron-modulated mouse hepatic cell line and in bone marrow-derived macrophages from IRP1- and IRP2-deficient mice. This work investigates cellular iron metabolism in unprecedented depth and defines a wide network of mRNAs and proteins with iron-dependent regulation, IRP-dependent regulation, or both.

Iron regulatory protein 1 outcompetes iron regulatory protein 2 in regulating cellular iron homeostasis in response to nitric oxide

In mammals, iron regulatory proteins (IRPs) 1 and 2 posttranscriptionally regulate expression of genes involved in iron metabolism, including transferrin receptor 1, the ferritin (Ft) H and L subunits, and ferroportin by binding mRNA motifs called iron responsive elements (IREs). IRP1 is a bifunctional protein that mostly exists in a non-IRE-binding, [4Fe-4S] cluster aconitase form, whereas IRP2, which does not assemble an Fe-S cluster, spontaneously binds IREs. Although both IRPs fulfill a trans-regulatory function, only mice lacking IRP2 misregulate iron metabolism. NO stimulates the IRE-binding activity of IRP1 by targeting its Fe-S cluster. IRP2 has also been reported to sense NO, but the intrinsic function of IRP1 and IRP2 in NO-mediated regulation of cellular iron metabolism is controversial. In this study, we exposed bone marrow macrophages from Irp1(-/-) and Irp2(-/-) mice to NO and showed that the generated apo-IRP1 was entirely responsible for the posttranscriptional regulation of transferrin receptor 1, H-Ft, L-Ft, and ferroportin. The powerful action of NO on IRP1 also remedies the defects of iron storage found in IRP2-null bone marrow macrophages by efficiently reducing Ft overexpression. We also found that NO-dependent IRP1 activation, resulting in increased iron uptake and reduced iron sequestration and export, maintains enough intracellular iron to fuel the Fe-S cluster biosynthetic pathway for efficient restoration of the citric acid cycle aconitase in mitochondria. Thus, IRP1 is the dominant sensor and transducer of NO for posttranscriptional regulation of iron metabolism and participates in Fe-S cluster repair after exposure to NO.

Regulation of cellular iron metabolism

Iron is an essential but potentially hazardous biometal. Mammalian cells require sufficient amounts of iron to satisfy metabolic needs or to accomplish specialized functions. Iron is delivered to tissues by circulating transferrin, a transporter that captures iron released into the plasma mainly from intestinal enterocytes or reticuloendothelial macrophages. The binding of iron-laden transferrin to the cell-surface transferrin receptor 1 results in endocytosis and uptake of the metal cargo. Internalized iron is transported to mitochondria for the synthesis of haem or iron–sulfur clusters, which are integral parts of several metalloproteins, and excess iron is stored and detoxified in cytosolic ferritin. Iron metabolism is controlled at different levels and by diverse mechanisms. The present review summarizes basic concepts of iron transport, use and storage and focuses on the IRE (iron-responsive element)/IRP (iron-regulatory protein) system, a well known post-transcriptional regulatory circuit that not only maintains iron homoeostasis in various cell types, but also contributes to systemic iron balance.

The disruption of L-carnitine metabolism by aluminum toxicity and oxidative stress promotes dyslipidemia in human astrocytic and hepatic cells

L-Carnitine is a critical metabolite indispensable for the metabolism of lipids as it facilitates fatty acid transport into the mitochondrion where β-oxidation occurs. Human astrocytes (CCF-STTG1 cells) and hepatocytes (HepG2 cells) exposed to aluminum (Al) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), were characterized with lower levels of L-carnitine, diminished β-oxidation, and increased lipid accumulation compared to the controls. γ-Butyrobetainealdehyde dehydrogenase (BADH) and butyrobetaine dioxygenase (BBDOX), two key enzymes mediating the biogenesis of L-carnitine, were sharply reduced during Al and H₂O₂ challenge. Exposure of the Al and H₂O₂-treated cells to α-ketoglutarate (KG), led to the recovery of L-carnitine production with the concomitant reduction in ROS levels. It appears that the channeling of KG to combat oxidative stress results in decreased L-carnitine synthesis, an event that contributes to the dyslipidemia observed during Al and H₂O₂ insults in these mammalian cells. Hence, KG may help alleviate pathological conditions induced by oxidative stress.

Decoupling ferritin synthesis from free cytosolic iron results in ferritin secretion

Ferritin is a multisubunit protein that is responsible for storing and detoxifying cytosolic iron. Ferritin can be found in serum but is relatively iron poor. Serum ferritin occurs in iron overload disorders, in inflammation, and in the genetic disorder hyperferritinemia with cataracts. We show that ferritin secretion results when cellular ferritin synthesis occurs in the relative absence of free cytosolic iron. In yeast and mammalian cells, newly synthesized ferritin monomers can be translocated into the endoplasmic reticulum and transits through the secretory apparatus. Ferritin chains can be translocated into the endoplasmic reticulum in an in vitro translation and membrane insertion system. The insertion of ferritin monomers into the ER occurs under low-free-iron conditions, as iron will induce the assembly of ferritin. Secretion of ferritin chains provides a mechanism that limits ferritin nanocage assembly and ferritin-mediated iron sequestration in the absence of the translational inhibition of ferritin synthesis.

Two to tango: regulation of Mammalian iron metabolism

Disruptions in iron homeostasis from both iron deficiency and overload account for some of the most common human diseases. Iron metabolism is balanced by two regulatory systems, one that functions systemically and relies on the hormone hepcidin and the iron exporter ferroportin, and another that predominantly controls cellular iron metabolism through iron-regulatory proteins that bind iron-responsive elements in regulated messenger RNAs. We describe how the two distinct systems function and how they "tango" together in a coordinated manner. We also highlight some of the current questions in mammalian iron metabolism and discuss therapeutic opportunities arising from a better understanding of the underlying biological principles.