[Fe4S4]- and [Fe3S4]-cluster formation in synthetic peptides

[Fe4S4]- and [Fe3S4]-clusters are ubiquitous iron–sulfur motifs in biological systems. The [Fe3S4] composition is, however, of much lower natural abundance than the more typical [Fe4S4]-clusters. In the present study formation of [Fe3S4]-clusters has been examined using chemically synthesized model peptides consisting of 33 amino acids (maquettes). Maquettes are effective synthetic analogs for metal–ion binding sites, allowing for a facile modification of the primary coordination sphere of iron–sulfur clusters. Maquettes have been designed following the [FeS]-cluster-binding motif of dimethyl sulfoxide reductase subunit B (DmsB) from Escherichia coli that carries a [Fe4S4]-cluster, but incorporates a [Fe3S4]-cluster instead upon mutation of one of the coordinating cysteines. The time-dependent formation of iron–sulfur clusters and the effects of exchanging selected amino acids in the model peptides, known to regulate the [Fe3S4] to [Fe4S4] ratio in the DmsB protein, were monitored by UV/Vis- and EPR-spectroscopy. Exchange of cysteines within the conserved CxxCxxC motif has a much stronger effect on cluster formation and stoichiometry than the exchange of a coordinating external cysteine. Amino acid exchange in the binding motif shows a dependence of the cluster stoichiometry on the amino acid side chain. Formation of [Fe3S4]-clusters in maquettes is less favorable compared to native proteins. The [Fe3S4] moiety appears to be a rather transient species towards the more stable (final) incorporation of a [Fe4S4]-cluster. Results are best described by an assembly mechanism that considers a successive coordination of the iron atoms by the peptide, rather than incorporation of an already pre-formed mercaptoethanol-coordinated [Fe4S4]-cluster.

► Formation of [Fe3S4] and [Fe4S4]-clusters using chemically synthesized peptides.
► [Fe3] to [Fe4] stoichiometry depends on the aminoacid exchange within binding motif.
► Assembly mechanism considering successive coordination of the Fe ions by the peptide.