Ferric-binding protein A (FbpA)

Ferric-binding protein A (FbpA) is a periplasmic iron-shuttling protein essential for the survival and virulence of Neisseria gonorrhoeae (UniProt: P06756). It functions as the substrate-binding component of the FbpABC iron-uptake system, which transports ferric iron (Fe3+) across the periplasm to the inner membrane after it has been internalized through outer membrane receptors like TbpA (PubMed: 10493513). Because N. gonorrhoeae lacks the ability to produce siderophores, it is entirely dependent on proteins like FbpA to scavenge iron from host proteins such as transferrin and lactoferrin (PubMed: 15251205). FbpA is highly conserved and constitutively expressed under the iron-limited conditions found within the human host, making it a primary target for antimicrobial development (PubMed: 11133459). Research into targeting FbpA includes the use of gallium-based compounds, which act as iron mimetics to disrupt iron metabolism, and the development of subunit vaccines (PubMed: 25605761). Inhibiting FbpA effectively halts the bacterial iron supply, leading to a significant reduction in bacterial fitness and the ability to maintain an infection.

Other names

Ferric iron-binding periplasmic proteinMajor iron-regulated proteinMIRPFbpIron-binding protein A

Inhibition of iron acquisition and transport into the bacterial cytoplasm