A PERMEASE-OXIDASE COMPLEX INVOLVED IN HIGH-AFFINITY IRON UPTAKE IN YEAST

Iron must cross biological membranes to reach essential intracellular enzymes. Two proteins in the plasma membrane of yeast-a multicopper ox idase, encoded by the FET3 gene, and a permease, encoded by the FTR1 g ene-were shown to mediate high-affinity iron uptake. FET3 expression w as required for FTR1 protein to be transported to the plasma membrane. FTR1 expression was required for apo-FET3 protein to be loaded with c opper and thus acquire oxidase activity. FTR1 protein also played a di rect role in iron transport. Mutations in a conserved sequence motif o f FTR1 specifically blocked iron transport.