Oxidative stress sensing by the iron–sulfur cluster in the transcription factor, SoxR

Abstract

All bacteria are continuously exposed to environmental and/or endogenously active oxygen and nitrogen compounds and radicals. To reduce the deleterious effects of these reactive species, most bacteria have evolved specific sensor proteins that regulate the expression of enzymes that detoxify these species and repair proteins. Some bacterial transcriptional regulators containing an iron–sulfur cluster are involved in coordinating these physiological responses. Mechanistic and structural information can show how these regulators function, in particular, how chemical interactions at the cluster drive subsequent regulatory responses. The [2Fe–2S] transcription factor SoxR (superoxide response) functions as a bacterial sensor of oxidative stress and nitric oxide (NO). This review focuses on the mechanisms by which SoxR proteins respond to oxidative stress.