Iron-uptake factors

Definition

Iron-uptake factors are molecules used by bacteria to acquire iron from the host, which is essential for their growth and survival. These factors play a critical role in bacterial infections, including those affecting the nervous system.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Iron-uptake factors help bacteria overcome the host's nutritional immunity by scavenging iron.
2. Siderophores are a type of iron-uptake factor that bind and transport iron into bacterial cells.
3. Some pathogenic bacteria produce high-affinity siderophores to outcompete host proteins for iron.
4. Iron-uptake mechanisms are potential targets for developing new antibacterial treatments.
5. Infections of the nervous system by bacteria like Neisseria meningitidis often rely on efficient iron acquisition systems.

Review Questions

Related terms

Siderophores: Molecules secreted by bacteria that bind and transport iron.

Nutritional Immunity: The host's mechanism to limit pathogen access to essential nutrients like iron.

Neisseria meningitidis:

A bacterium that can cause meningitis and relies on iron-uptake factors for infection.