The Transcriptional Repressor Protein NsrR Senses Nitric Oxide Directly via a [2Fe-2S] Cluster NsrR Is an Iron Sulfur Protein
2008

NsrR Protein Senses Nitric Oxide

publication Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Tucker Nicholas P., Hicks Matthew G., Clarke Thomas A., Crack Jason C., Chandra Govind, Le Brun Nick E., Dixon Ray, Hutchings Matthew I.

Primary Institution: John Innes Centre, University of East Anglia

Hypothesis

NsrR directly senses nitric oxide through a [2Fe-2S] cluster.

Conclusion

NsrR contains an NO-sensitive [2Fe-2S] cluster that is essential for its DNA binding activity.

Supporting Evidence

  • NsrR was purified from Streptomyces coelicolor and shown to contain a [2Fe-2S] cluster.
  • Exposure to nitric oxide resulted in the loss of NsrR's DNA binding activity.
  • The study provides the first experimental evidence of NsrR's NO-sensing mechanism.

Takeaway

NsrR is a protein that helps bacteria detect nitric oxide, and when it binds to nitric oxide, it can't attach to DNA anymore.

Methodology

The study involved purifying NsrR from Streptomyces coelicolor and using spectroscopy to analyze its properties and interactions with nitric oxide.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0003623

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