ÌÇÐÄVlogÆƽâ°æ

Background

Enterobactin (Ent), a siderophore with high affinity for iron (Fe³⁺), is used by certain bacteria to acquire iron from the environment. As a scavenger molecule for a scarce resource (iron), it is generally believed that enterobactins have a negative impact on hosts’ physiology. However, the high prevalence of enterobactin-producing commensal bacteria in the human gut challenges such a presumption. Elucidating the benefits of individual microbiota-derived molecules in host animals is important for understanding the symbiosis between humans and their microbiota.Ìý

Technology

Using a unique assay, researchers at the ÌÇÐÄVlogÆƽâ°æ have discovered an unexpected and striking role of Ent in supporting growth and the labile iron pool inÌýC. elegans. Ent promotes mitochondrial iron uptake by binding to the ATP synthase α-subunit, which acts inside of mitochondria and independently of ATP synthase. Bacterial enterobactin promotes iron pool level and development inÌýC. elegans. Enterobactin binds host ATP synthase α-subunit for iron retention in mitochondria.The enterobactin-ATP synthase α-subunit function is conserved in mammals.

Benefits

Iron deficiency is the most prevalent nutrient deficiency disorder and a major cause of extremely prevalent anemia. Low efficiency of iron transport is likely a key cause of both the disorder and the problems associated with the current treatment. The newly discovered role of enterobactin in promoting mitochondrial iron uptake and animal health may present a potential transformative treatment of the disorder.Ìý

Applications

• Human microbiome RNA sequencing
• Mega genome gene expression
• Treatment of iron deficiency and anemia
• Mitochondrial iron uptake and homeostasis

Stage of Development

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