Influence of secondary metabolite siderophore on adaptive growth and primary metabolism of fission yeast

October 28, 2022

Microorganisms build and maintain their living environment through intercellular communication, which has much to be understood. For example, various metabolites are assumed to mediate communication, while only a small part has been identified. Researchers at the University of Tokyo, the RIKEN CSRS, and Kyushu University found that ferrichrome, an iron-chelating molecule (siderophore), induces adaptive growth of fission yeast “Schizosaccharomyces pombe.” They showed that the adaptive growth requires the amino acid transporter Cat1, suggesting that the secondary metabolite ferrichrome might regulate amino acid metabolism. Since the isolation of ferrichrome in 1952, its molecular mechanism of strong binding to iron has been elucidated, although its physiology remains almost unknown. This study revealed a new biological activity of ferrichrome, which regulates nitrogen metabolism and works through intercellular communication. The findings would become a clue to elucidate the unknown physiology of this metabolite.

Original article
Scientific Reports doi:10.1038/s41598-022-22108-0
P. Chiu, Y. Nakamura, S. Nishimura, T. Tabuchi, Y. Yashiroda, G. Hirai, A. Matsuyama, M. Yoshida,
"Ferrichrome, a fungal-type siderophore, confers high ammonium tolerance to fission yeast".
Contact
Minoru Yoshida; Group Director
Shinichi Nishimura; Visiting Scientist
Chemical Genomics Research Group
Yoko Yashiroda; Deputy Team Leader
Molecular Ligand Target Research Team