Iron–sulfur clusters as inhibitors and catalysts of viral replication

Kourosh Honarmand Ebrahimi, Simone Ciofi-Baffoni, Peter-Leon Hagedoorn, Yvain Nicolet, Nick E. Le Brun, Wilfred R. Hagen, Fraser A. Armstrong

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

26 Citations (Scopus)
21 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

A virus hijacks host cellular machineries and metabolites in order to reproduce. In response, the innate immune system activates different processes to fight back. Although many aspects of these processes have been well investigated, the key roles played by iron–sulfur [FeS] clusters, which are among the oldest classes of bio-inorganic cofactors, have barely been considered. Here we discuss how several [FeS] cluster-containing proteins activate, support and modulate the innate immune response to restrict viral infections, and how some of these proteins simultaneously support the replication of viruses. We also propose models of function of some proteins in the innate immune response and argue that [FeS] clusters in many of these proteins act as biological ‘fuses’ to control the response. We hope this overview helps to inspire future research in the emerging field of bio-inorganic virology/immunology and that such studies may reveal new molecular insight into the links between viral infections and diseases like cancer and neurodegeneration.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)253–266
Number of pages14
JournalNature Chemistry
Volume14
Issue number3
Early online date14 Feb 2022
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Mar 2022

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