Presence of a [3Fe-4S] cluster in a PsaC variant as a functional component of the photosystem I electron transfer chain in Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002

Control of electron transfer by protein dynamics in photosynthetic reaction centers

Trehalose and glycerol are low molecular mass sugars/polyols that have found widespread use in the protection of native protein states, in both short- and long-term storage of biological materials, and as a means of understanding protein dynamics. These myriad uses are often attributed to their ability to form an amorphous glassy matrix. In glycerol, the glass is formed only at cryogenic temperatures, while in trehalose, the glass is formed at room temperature, but only upon dehydration of the sample. While much work has been carried out to elucidate a mechanistic view of how each of these matrices interact with proteins to provide stability, rarely have the effects of these two independent systems been directly compared to each other. This review aims to compile decades of research on how different glassy matrices affect two types of photosynthetic proteins: (i) the Type II bacterial reaction center from Rhodobacter sphaeroides and (ii) the Type I Photosystem I reaction center from cyanobacteria. By comparing aggregate data on electron transfer, protein structure, and protein dynamics, it appears that the effects of these two distinct matrices are remarkably similar. Both seem to cause a "tightening" of the solvation shell when in a glassy state, resulting in severely restricted conformational mobility of the protein and associated water molecules. Thus, trehalose appears to be able to mimic, at room temperature, nearly all of the effects on protein dynamics observed in low temperature glycerol glasses.

RirA of Dinoroseobacter shibae senses iron via a [3Fe-4S]1+ cluster co-ordinated by three cysteine residues

In the marine bacterium, Dinoroseobacter shibae the transcription factor rhizobial iron regulator A (RirA) is involved in the adaptation to iron-limited growth conditions. In vitro iron and sulfide content determinations in combination with UV/Vis and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopic analyses using anaerobically purified, recombinant RirA protein suggested a [3Fe-4S]1+ cluster as a cofactor. In vivo Mössbauer spectroscopy also corroborated the presence of a [3Fe-4S]1+ cluster in RirA. Moreover, the cluster was found to be redox stable. Three out of four highly conserved cysteine residues of RirA (Cys 91, Cys 99, Cys 105) were found essential for the [3Fe-4S]1+ cluster coordination. The dimeric structure of the RirA protein was independent of the presence of the [3Fe-4S]1+ cluster. Electro mobility shift assays demonstrated the essential role of an intact [3Fe-4S]1+ cluster for promoter binding by RirA. The DNA binding site was identified by DNase I footprinting. Mutagenesis studies in combination with DNA binding assays confirmed the promoter binding site as 3'-TTAAN10AATT-5'. This work describes a novel mechanism for the direct sensing of cellular iron levels in bacteria by an iron-responsive transcriptional regulator using the integrity of a redox-inactive [3Fe-4S]1+ cluster, and further contributes to the general understanding of iron regulation in marine bacteria.