Abstract
Paracoccidioides is a genus of thermodimorphic fungi that causes paracoccidioidomycosis. When in the host, the fungus undergoes several challenges, including iron deprivation imposed by nutritional immunity. In response to the iron deprivation triggered by the host, the fungus responds in a ternary manner using mechanisms of high affinity and specificity for the uptake of Fe, namely non-classical reductive iron uptake pathway, uptake of host iron proteins, and biosynthesis and uptake of siderophores. This triple response resembles the rhythmic structure of a waltz, which features three beats per compass. Using this connotation, we have constructed this review summarizing relevant findings in this area of study and pointing out new discoveries and perspectives that may contribute to the expansion of this “little iron waltz”.
Highlights
One of the greatest things about studying the host–pathogen interaction is to gradually understand that despite the storm of molecular events that support the adaptation process, there is organization!This organization is often referred to as “orchestration” or an “orchestrated response” [1,2,3]
This transition metal is widely employed as a cofactor of several enzymes involved in crucial cellular processes, such as DNA synthesis and repair, energy metabolism, antioxidant systems, and biopolymer synthesis, among many others [10]
In addition to the variation in response to pH, the expression of the ferric reductase FRP1p is increased during iron deprivation and the transcriptional factor Rim 101 regulates the expression of this protein in C. albicans under this condition [30]
Summary
One of the greatest things about studying the host–pathogen interaction is to gradually understand that despite the storm of molecular events that support the adaptation process, there is organization!This organization is often referred to as “orchestration” or an “orchestrated response” [1,2,3]. Iron deprivation suffered by pathogens when in the host leads to a transcriptional response that induces the expression of several proteins involved in obtaining metals from the host during infection. The expression of iron uptake pathways is part of a mechanism finely regulated by fungi, in which several transcriptional factors are activated to produce a rapid response to metal deprivation imposed by the host.
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