Ferritins for chemistry and for life

[Display omitted] ► Ferritins synthesize caged hydrated ferric oxide nanominerals as metabolic iron concentrates and antioxidants, trapping Fe from damaged proteins. ► Multiple (24 or 12 polypeptides), folded in 4-α-helix bundles, self-assemble to form ferritin cages. ► Fe2+ enters and exits water s...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Coordination chemistry reviews 2013-01, Vol.257 (2), p.579-586
Main Authors: Theil, Elizabeth C., Behera, Rabindra K., Tosha, Takehiko
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Diiron oxygenase
Ferritin
Ion channel
Iron biomineral
Nanomaterial
Oxidoreductase
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Summary:[Display omitted] ► Ferritins synthesize caged hydrated ferric oxide nanominerals as metabolic iron concentrates and antioxidants, trapping Fe from damaged proteins. ► Multiple (24 or 12 polypeptides), folded in 4-α-helix bundles, self-assemble to form ferritin cages. ► Fe2+ enters and exits water soluble ferritin through ion channels, similar to membrane ion channels, Fe2+ and O2 react at diiron oxidoreductase sites to initiate mineral synthesis with diferric oxo complexes and in some ferritins larger, protein-based, ferric multimers. ► Ferritin proteins cages are being developed for nanomaterials, nanocatalysts, nanodevices and tissue imaging. Ferritins, highly symmetrical protein nanocages, are reactors for Fe2+ and dioxygen or hydrogen peroxide that are found in all kingdoms of life and in many different cells of multicellular organisms. They synthesize iron concentrates required for cells to make cofactors of iron proteins (heme, FeS, mono and diiron). The caged ferritin biominerals, Fe2O3·H2O are also antioxidants, acting as sinks for iron and oxidants scavenged from damaged proteins; genetic regulation of ferritin biosynthesis is sensitive to both iron and oxidants. Here, the emphasis is ferritin oxidoreductase chemistry, ferritin ion channels for Fe2+ transit into and out of the protein cage and Fe3+O mineral nucleation, and uses of ferritin cages in nanocatalysis and nanomaterial synthesis. The ferritin nanocage as reactors for Fe2+ and oxygen, likely critical in the transition from anaerobic to aerobic life on earth, play central, contemporary roles that balance iron and oxygen chemistry in biology and have emerging roles in nanotechnology.
ISSN:0010-8545
1873-3840
DOI:10.1016/j.ccr.2012.05.013