Iron dependent enzymes

Iron is an essential cofactor for enzymes involved in numerous cellular processes. Iron is one of most commonly minerals encountered in enzymes catalyzing oxidoreduction reactions. In the majority of cases, the metal ion participates directly in the electron transfer process and undergoes a cyclic change in oxidation state.

Iron is required as a cofactor for many hemoproteins and non-haem iron-containing proteins which involved in most of the major metabolic processes in the cell. Hemoproteins include hemoglobin and myoglobin that are responsible for oxygen binding and transport, catalase and peroxidase enzymes, which take part in oxygen metabolism, and cytochromes, which are involved in electron transport and mitochondrial respiration.

Structurally, enzymes are built up from proteins and contain an active site, where substrate and oxidant are brought together to initiate a chemical reaction.

Iron deficiency led to changes in glucose metabolism, amino acid biosynthesis, and lipid biosynthesis that were due to deficiencies in specific iron dependent enzymes. Iron-sulfur proteins exhibited loss of iron cofactors, yet amino acid synthesis was maintained.
Iron dependent enzymes