Fe-S cluster assembly pathways in bacteria.

Iron-sulfur (Fe-S) clusters are required for critical biochemical pathways, including respiration, photosynthesis, and nitrogen fixation. Assembly of these iron cofactors is a carefully controlled process in cells to avoid toxicity from free iron and sulfide. Multiple Fe-S cluster assembly pathways are present in bacteria to carry out basal cluster assembly, stress-responsive cluster assembly, and enzyme-specific cluster assembly. Although biochemical and genetic characterization is providing a partial picture of in vivo Fe-S cluster assembly, a number of mechanistic questions remain unanswered. Furthermore, new factors involved in Fe-S cluster assembly and repair have recently been identified and are expanding the complexity of current models. Here we attempt to summarize recent advances and to highlight new avenues of research in the field of Fe-S cluster assembly.