His86 from the N-terminus of frataxin coordinates iron and is required for Fe-S cluster synthesis.

Human frataxin has a vital role in the biosynthesis of iron-sulfur (Fe-S) clusters in mitochondria, and its deficiency causes the neurodegenerative disease Friedreich's ataxia. Proposed functions for frataxin in the Fe-S pathway include iron donation to the Fe-S cluster machinery and regulation of cysteine desulfurase activity to control the rate of Fe-S production, although further molecular detail is required to distinguish these two possibilities. It is well established that frataxin can coordinate iron using glutamate and aspartate side chains on the protein surface; however, in this work we identify a new iron coordinating residue in the N-terminus of human frataxin using complementary spectroscopic and structural approaches.

The increasing burden of phlebotomy in the development of anaemia and need for blood transfusion amongst trauma patients.

Background: Diagnostic laboratory tests are an integral part of the management of trauma patients, however, may be responsible for significant iatrogenic blood loss. The purpose of this study was to examine how phlebotomy practises have changed over time, and to assess the impact of these practises on patient outcomes.

Methods: A continuous series of injured patients admitted to a level I trauma centre (March-April 2004) was compared to the same period in 2009.