Iron-sulfur protein

Definition

Iron-sulfur proteins are a group of proteins that contain iron-sulfur clusters and play crucial roles in electron transfer processes within cellular respiration. These proteins are essential in the electron transport chain, facilitating the transfer of electrons between different molecules.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Iron-sulfur proteins contain iron and sulfur atoms arranged in clusters, typically Fe-S and Fe-S2 clusters.
2. They are integral to the function of the electron transport chain, particularly in complex I, II, and III of mitochondria.
3. These proteins facilitate redox reactions by alternating between different oxidation states of iron (Fe2+ and Fe3+).
4. Mutations or malfunctions in iron-sulfur proteins can lead to various metabolic disorders due to impaired electron transport.
5. Iron-sulfur clusters are synthesized through a complex biosynthetic pathway involving multiple enzymes.

Review Questions

• What role do iron-sulfur proteins play in cellular respiration?
• How do iron-sulfur clusters facilitate electron transfer?
• In which complexes of the mitochondrial electron transport chain are iron-sulfur proteins found?

Related terms

Cytochrome c: A protein that acts as an electron carrier between complex III and complex IV in the electron transport chain.

NADH dehydrogenase: An enzyme complex (Complex I) that transfers electrons from NADH to ubiquinone in the electron transport chain.

Ubiquinone (Coenzyme Q): A lipid-soluble molecule that transports electrons from complexes I and II to complex III within the mitochondrial membrane.