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Due to both the necessity of iron for physiological functions and also the toxicity of excess iron resulting from the formation of iron-catalyzed reactive oxygen species, therefore, iron homeostasis is tightly regulated in bacteria to ensure survival. The research aims at characterization of iron-sensing transcriptional regulators, Fur (ferric uptake regulator), RirA (rhizobial iron regulator) and Irr (iron response regulator) from a phyto pathogen Agrobacterium tumefaciens, in order to better understand mechanisms used by bacteria to satisfy their iron demand and prevent iron-induced toxicity.
It is also of interest to search for novel physiological roles of RirA and Irr beyond the iron regulation and study interplay between RirA, Irr and other transcriptional regulators to mediate the regulation of gene expression in response to diverse stressful conditions. The research will provide insight into functional roles as well as the impact of these regulators on the survival of A. tumefaciens during plant-pathogen interactions. RirA and Irr are found exclusively in members of alpha-proteobacteria including plant, animal and human pathogens. Therefore, the information on the distinct gene regulation mediated by RirA and Irr may provide a potential target for controlling diseases.