Iron-regulated transporter AB (IrtAB) (IrtAB)

The Iron-regulated transporter AB (IrtAB) is a specialized ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter essential for the survival and virulence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis within the host (Arnold et al., 2020; Farhana et al., 2008). It functions as a siderophore importer, specifically facilitating the uptake of iron-bound carboxymycobactin from the extracellular environment into the bacterial cytoplasm (Arnold et al., 2020). IrtAB is unique among ABC transporters because the IrtA subunit contains an N-terminal siderophore reductase domain that utilizes FAD to reduce ferric iron (Fe3+) to ferrous iron (Fe2+), facilitating its release from the siderophore (Arnold et al., 2020; Rodriguez & Smith, 2006). Because iron is a strictly limited and vital nutrient for the pathogen during infection, IrtAB is considered a high-priority target for the development of novel anti-tuberculosis agents (Farhana et al., 2008). Inhibiting this transporter effectively starves the bacteria of iron, impairing its ability to replicate and maintain infection (Arnold et al., 2020).

Other names

Rv1348-Rv1349ABC transporter IrtABIron-regulated ABC transporterCarboxymycobactin transporter

Inhibition of the IrtAB-mediated uptake of iron-siderophore complexes to disrupt bacterial iron metabolism and survival.