Frataxin and mitochondrial FeS cluster biogenesis

J Biol Chem. 2010 Aug 27;285(35):26737-26743. doi: 10.1074/jbc.R110.118679. Epub 2010 Jun 3.

Abstract

Friedreich ataxia is an inherited neurodegenerative disease caused by frataxin deficiency. Frataxin is a conserved mitochondrial protein that plays a role in FeS cluster assembly in mitochondria. FeS clusters are modular cofactors that perform essential functions throughout the cell. They are synthesized by a multistep and multisubunit mitochondrial machinery that includes the scaffold protein Isu for assembling a protein-bound FeS cluster intermediate. Frataxin interacts with Isu, iron, and the cysteine desulfurase Nfs1, which supplies sulfide, thus placing it at the center of mitochondrial FeS cluster biosynthesis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Carbon-Sulfur Lyases / genetics
  • Carbon-Sulfur Lyases / metabolism
  • Frataxin
  • Friedreich Ataxia / genetics
  • Friedreich Ataxia / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Iron / metabolism*
  • Iron-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • Iron-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Iron-Sulfur Proteins / genetics
  • Iron-Sulfur Proteins / metabolism*
  • Mitochondria / genetics
  • Mitochondria / metabolism*
  • Mitochondrial Proteins / genetics
  • Mitochondrial Proteins / metabolism*
  • Sulfides / metabolism*

Substances

  • Iron-Binding Proteins
  • Iron-Sulfur Proteins
  • Mitochondrial Proteins
  • Sulfides
  • Iron
  • Carbon-Sulfur Lyases
  • NFS1 protein, human