Iron homeostasis-Achilles' heel of Aspergillus fumigatus?

- Aspergillus fumigatus uses extracellular siderophores for uptake and intracellular siderophores for storage and trafficking of iron.
- Intracellular siderophore-mediated iron handling is important for germination, development, and antioxidative defense.
- Extra- and intracellular siderophores are crucial for virulence of A. fumigatus and a variety of other fungal species.
- The regulator HapX mediates adaptation to iron starvation by activating iron uptake and repressing iron consumption.
- HapX is crucial for virulence of A. fumigatus and a variety of other fungal species.