Regulation of bacterial gene expression by metal–protein complexes

SummaryMetal ions are essential cofactors in several transacting bacterial gene regulators. Upon binding of the metal, the receptor proteins act either as repressors of gene expression or, in other systems, as transcriptional activators. Other metal‐dependent regulatory proteins may function, directly or indirectly, as sensors of the cellular oxygen status, and may even be mediators in light‐responsive gene regulation.