Beyond iron: non-classical biological functions of bacterial siderophores

摘要: Bacteria secrete small molecules known as siderophores to acquire iron from their surroundings. For over 60 years, investigations into the bioinorganic chemistry of these molecules, including fundamental coordination studies, have provided insight crucial role that play in bacterial homeostasis. The importance understanding underlying life has been highlighted evermore recent years because emergence antibiotic-resistant bacteria and need prevent global rise superbugs. Increasing reports functioning capacities other than transport appeared recently, but “non-classical” siderophore functions long paralleled those transport. One particular non-classical function chelators, namely antibiotic activity, was documented before established. In this Perspective, we present an exposition past current work highlight directions which anticipate research is headed. Examples include ability zincophores, chalkophores, metallophores for a variety metals, sequester heavy metal toxins, boron, act signalling regulate oxidative stress, provide antibacterial activity.