Ferric uptake regulator family

In molecular biology, the ferric uptake regulator family is a family of bacterial proteins involved in regulating metal ion uptake and in metal homeostasis. The family is named for its founding member, known as the ferric uptake regulator or ferric uptake regulatory protein (Fur). Fur proteins are responsible for controlling the intracellular concentration of iron in many bacteria. Iron is essential for most organisms, but its concentration must be carefully managed over a wide range of environmental conditions; high concentrations can be toxic due to the formation of reactive oxygen species.

Function

Members of the ferric uptake regulator family are transcription factors that primarily exert their regulatory effects as repressors: when bound to their cognate metal ion, they are capable of binding DNA and preventing expression of the genes they regulate, but under low concentrations of metal, they undergo a conformational change that prevents DNA binding and lifts the repression. In the case of the ferric uptake regulator protein itself, its immediate downstream target is a noncoding RNA called RyhB.

The Ferric Uptake Regulator protein functions in Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. Ferric uptake regulators act by sensing changes in free iron, so upon activation, they regulate target genes through interactions with the promoter region, known as the "Fur box". The magnetospirillum gryphiswaldense MSR-1 Fur is a key regulatory protein involved in maintaining iron homeostasis. This Fur is similar to the E. coli Fur, which acts by binding to Fur boxes to regulate gene expression as a way to maintain iron levels. Additionally, it serves as a model and foundation for other regulators that are able to sense changes in iron, zinc, and magnesium.