Bacterial Siderophores Promote Animal Host Iron Acquisition and Growth

Siderophores are small molecules produced by bacteria that bind ferric iron in the surrounding environment with extraordinary affinity. A new study provides evidence that a simple animal host, Caenorhabditis elegans, co-opts siderophores to promote its own iron acquisition and growth. Siderophores are small molecules produced by bacteria that bind ferric iron in the surrounding environment with extraordinary affinity. A new study provides evidence that a simple animal host, Caenorhabditis elegans, co-opts siderophores to promote its own iron acquisition and growth.