Under iron limitation, RipA negatively controls the expression of the acn (aconitase), catA (catechol 1,2 dioxygenase), leuCD (isopropylmalate dehydratase), narKGHJI (nitrite/nitrate transporter and nitrate reductase), sdhCAB (succinate dehydrogenase), pta (phosphotransacetylase) and katA (catalase) genes. Binds to the consensus sequence in the promoter region. Repressed by DtxR under iron excess. Under iron limitation, the ripA deletion mutant shows a 2-fold higher aconitase activity and a higher mRNA level for the acn, catA, leuCD, narKGHJI, sdhCAB and pta genes.