iron-sulfur clusters
Electron transfer centers
Iron-sulfur clusters are molecular structures containing iron atoms bonded to sulfur, found in proteins across nearly all forms of life.
They function as electron carriers in fundamental biological processes—photosynthesis, cellular respiration, nitrogen fixation.
Their ancient origins and ubiquity suggest they were among the first catalysts in early life on Earth.
- proteinsAmino acid polymers
- mitochondriaCell's energy-producing organelles
- enzymesReaction-speeding proteins
- cofactorsEnzyme-assisting molecules
- redoxElectron transfer chemistry
active site · nitrogen fixation · subunits · biomolecules · catalysis · electron carrier · oxidation state · brown · transition metals · sulfide · spinach · respiration · photosynthesis · rust · ancient · magnetic · cytochrome · origin of life
- Cell BiochemicalsATP, ADP, NADH, FAD, acetyl-CoA
- Metalloproteinsheme, myoglobin, hemoglobin, cobalamin
- nanoclustersbuckyballs, magic numbers
- Extremophile Biologyheat tolerance, heat resistance, compatible solutes, osmoregulation, cryoprotection
- Redox Biologyfree radical, superoxide, hydrogen peroxide, glutathione, antioxidant
- Electron CarriersNADH, FAD, coenzyme Q10, cytochromes, quinone