Microbial nickel metalloregulation: NikRs for nickel ions

Nickel is a required co-factor for several microbial enzymes; however, because of its potential toxicity, nickel import and homeostasis must be tightly controlled. Recent biophysical and biochemical studies have revealed that NikR proteins are a new type of metalloregulatory protein that utilize all...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Current opinion in chemical biology 2006-04, Vol.10 (2), p.123-130
Main Authors: Dosanjh, Nuvjeevan S, Michel, Sarah LJ
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Bacterial Proteins - chemistry
Bacterial Proteins - genetics
Bacterial Proteins - metabolism
Cations, Divalent
Helicobacter pylori - metabolism
Models, Molecular
Nickel - metabolism
Operon
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Summary:Nickel is a required co-factor for several microbial enzymes; however, because of its potential toxicity, nickel import and homeostasis must be tightly controlled. Recent biophysical and biochemical studies have revealed that NikR proteins are a new type of metalloregulatory protein that utilize allostery and coordination geometry to sense nickel ions and regulate transcription of genes involved in nickel import and processing. Nickel import into bacteria occurs through either ABC-type transporters (NikABCDE) or HoxN type permeases (NixA). Recent structural evidence suggests that nickel is transported through NikABCDE as a metallophore (akin to a siderophore). Nickel storage is accomplished via the HPN protein, a histidine-rich protein similar to metallothionein.
ISSN:1367-5931
1879-0402
DOI:10.1016/j.cbpa.2006.02.011