Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology (Sep 2021)

Biogenesis of Iron–Sulfur Clusters and Their Role in DNA Metabolism

  • Ruifeng Shi,
  • Ruifeng Shi,
  • Wenya Hou,
  • Zhao-Qi Wang,
  • Zhao-Qi Wang,
  • Xingzhi Xu,
  • Xingzhi Xu

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fcell.2021.735678
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 9

Abstract

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Iron–sulfur (Fe/S) clusters (ISCs) are redox-active protein cofactors that their synthesis, transfer, and insertion into target proteins require many components. Mitochondrial ISC assembly is the foundation of all cellular ISCs in eukaryotic cells. The mitochondrial ISC cooperates with the cytosolic Fe/S protein assembly (CIA) systems to accomplish the cytosolic and nuclear Fe/S clusters maturation. ISCs are needed for diverse cellular functions, including nitrogen fixation, oxidative phosphorylation, mitochondrial respiratory pathways, and ribosome assembly. Recent research advances have confirmed the existence of different ISCs in enzymes that regulate DNA metabolism, including helicases, nucleases, primases, DNA polymerases, and glycosylases. Here we outline the synthesis of mitochondrial, cytosolic and nuclear ISCs and highlight their functions in DNA metabolism.

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