Characterization of the frataxin homolog FTX1 from the green unicellular algae Chalmydomonas reinhardtii.

TERENZI, AGUSTINA; BUSI, MARIA VICTORIA; DIEGO FABIAN GOMEZ CASATI

Salta

Congreso; LV Reunión de la Sociedad Argentina de Investigación en Bioquímica y Biología Molecular (SAIB),; 2019

SAIB

Frataxinplays a key role in cellular iron homeostasis of different organisms. It hasbeen implicated in iron storage, detoxification, and delivery for ironsulfur-cluster assembly and heme biosynthesis. However, it´s role in ironmetabolism remains unclear, especially in photosynthetic organisms. In the recentyears, the green unicellular algae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii has beenused as an excellent experimental system for understanding iron metabolism. Inthis work, we explore the functions of the frataxin homolog (FTX1) from C.reinhardtii To perform in vitro studies, FTX1 was cloned, expressedand purified. Molecular mass and oligomerization state were determined using nativegel electrophoresis. Results show that FTX1 forms tetramers in the presence ofFe, Zn and Cu. Octamers were only produced  in the presence of Cu. Furthermore, theaddition of FTX1 to a mixture of Fe2+ and H2O2resulted in significant attenuation of Fenton reaction. In addition to this,bacteria expressing FTX1 grew better in LB medium supplemented with highconcentration of metals (Cu, Cd, Fe, Zn, Ni, As) and also after incubation with20 mM H2O2. All together, our  results indicate that FTX1 is an essentialprotein in C. reinhardtii, involved in Fe homeostasis, protectionagainst metal oxidative damage and the maintenance of redox cellular state.