Iron and associated redox complexes (Fe-redox complexes)

Iron and associated redox complexes represent a broad category of metalloproteins and chemical clusters, such as iron-sulfur (Fe-S) clusters and heme groups, that utilize the redox-active properties of iron to facilitate essential biological processes. These complexes are central to cellular respiration within the mitochondrial electron transport chain, DNA synthesis and repair, and the transport of oxygen (NIH, 2023). Because iron can cycle between oxidation states (Fe2+ and Fe3+), it is a critical cofactor for enzymes like ribonucleotide reductase and cytochromes, but this same reactivity can lead to the production of harmful reactive oxygen species through Fenton chemistry if not strictly regulated (PubMed, PMID: 31505829). In clinical practice, these complexes are targeted through iron chelation therapy to treat iron overload disorders or by iron supplementation for deficiency anemias. Furthermore, emerging research in oncology focuses on exploiting the 'iron addiction' of cancer cells and the induction of ferroptosis, a form of regulated cell death driven by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation (Nature Reviews Cancer, 2020). While 'Iron and associated redox complexes' is a functional grouping rather than a single molecular target, it encompasses several high-value therapeutic nodes in metabolism and oxidative stress management.

Other names

Iron-sulfur clustersHeme-containing proteinsIron-redox centersNon-heme iron complexesMetalloproteins

Iron chelators bind free or labile iron to prevent the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) via Fenton chemistry; iron supplements provide essential iron for heme and Fe-S cluster synthesis; certain inhibitors target specific iron-dependent enzymes like ribonucleotide reductase or mitochondrial respiratory complexes.