Aerobactin

Aerobactin is a siderophore produced by some types of bacteria, including Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae. It is a virulence factor that allows these bacteria to sequester iron from the host organism, which is necessary for their growth and proliferation.

Structure

Aerobactin is a small molecule composed of two lysine residues linked by a citrate molecule. The citrate molecule binds to iron with high affinity, while the lysine residues allow the molecule to be recognized and taken up by bacterial transport proteins.

Function

The primary function of aerobactin is to bind and transport iron. Iron is an essential nutrient for many bacteria, but it is often in short supply in the host organism due to the action of host defense mechanisms. By producing aerobactin, bacteria can overcome this limitation and proliferate in the host organism.

Role in disease

Aerobactin is considered a virulence factor because it enhances the ability of bacteria to cause disease. Bacteria that produce aerobactin are often more virulent than those that do not. This is because the ability to acquire iron from the host organism is a key determinant of bacterial virulence.

See also

• Siderophore
• Virulence factor
• Escherichia coli
• Klebsiella pneumoniae

Aerobactin Resources
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