Properties of the alfalfa–Rhizobium meliloti symbiotic nitrogenase enzyme system in vivo and in vitro

1986 ◽  
Vol 64 (6) ◽  
pp. 556-564 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. W. Miller ◽  
A. Al-Jobore ◽  
W. B. Berndt

A comparison of hydrogen production and acetylene reduction by excised alfalfa nodules, nitrogenase proteins isolated from Rhizobium meliloti bacteroids, and nitrogenase proteins purified from Klebsiella pneumoniae revealed several differences in the catalytic properties of the in vivo and in vitro systems. In all cases, assays for nitrogenase activity were carried out at near-physiological enzyme concentrations. Intact nodules maintained high nitrogenase activity to much lower reaction temperatures than the isolated enzymes. The Q10 value for acetylene reduction was 1.4 for nodules, but exceeded 5 for isolated R. meliloti nitrogenase in the temperature range 12–28 °C. The reduction of substrates requiring more than two reducing equivalents by the isolated enzyme system was severely restricted by the effects of reaction temperature on electron flux, as shown by very low values for electron allocation to dinitrogen determined indirectly at 12 °C. Temperature-induced lags in the initial reaction velocity of the reconstituted Klebsiella nitrogenase system were not observed with the isolated, but unseparated, R. meliloti nitrogenase proteins when acetylene was the substrate. The respiration-supported nodule system was not saturated with oxygen under air at reaction temperatures between 12 and 25 °C. Measurements of the adenine nucleotide levels of whole nodules indicated that the observed effects of reaction temperature on nitrogenase in vitro may be partially compensated in vivo by increases in adenylate energy charge and marked decreases in the ratio of ADP/ATP which occur as the nodule temperature is lowered. From the results reported here, it is clear that the R. meliloti – alfalfa nitrogenase system is limited in activity by oxygen supply. However, electron flux is sufficient within the physiological temperature range to maintain the Mo–Fe protein in the catalytically active state.

Microbiology ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 150 (7) ◽  
pp. 2257-2266 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helmuth Adelsberger ◽  
Christian Hertel ◽  
Erich Glawischnig ◽  
Vladimir V. Zverlov ◽  
Wolfgang H. Schwarz

Four extracellular enzymes of the thermophilic bacterium Clostridium stercorarium are involved in the depolymerization of de-esterified arabinoxylan: Xyn11A, Xyn10C, Bxl3B, and Arf51B. They were identified in a collection of eight clones producing enzymes hydrolysing xylan (xynA, xynB, xynC), β-xyloside (bxlA, bxlB, bglZ) and α-arabinofuranoside (arfA, arfB). The modular enzymes Xyn11A and Xyn10C represent the major xylanases in the culture supernatant of C. stercorarium. Both hydrolyse arabinoxylan in an endo-type mode, but differ in the pattern of the oligosaccharides produced. Of the glycosidases, Bxl3B degrades xylobiose and xylooligosaccharides to xylose, and Arf51B is able to release arabinose residues from de-esterified arabinoxylan and from the oligosaccharides generated. The other glycosidases either did not attack or only marginally attacked these oligosaccharides. Significantly more xylanase and xylosidase activity was produced during growth on xylose and xylan. This is believed to be the first time that, in a single thermophilic micro-organism, the complete set of enzymes (as well as the respective genes) to completely hydrolyse de-esterified arabinoxylan to its monomeric sugar constituents, xylose and arabinose, has been identified and the enzymes produced in vivo. The active enzyme system was reconstituted in vitro from recombinant enzymes.


1998 ◽  
Vol 275 (3) ◽  
pp. C870-C881 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ichiro Hisatome ◽  
Takayuki Morisaki ◽  
Hiroshi Kamma ◽  
Takako Sugama ◽  
Hiroko Morisaki ◽  
...  

AMP deaminase (AMPD) plays a central role in preserving the adenylate energy charge in myocytes following exercise and in producing intermediates for the citric acid cycle in muscle. Prior studies have demonstrated that AMPD1 binds to myosin heavy chain (MHC) in vitro; binding to the myofibril varies with the state of muscle contraction in vivo, and binding of AMPD1 to MHC is required for activation of this enzyme in myocytes. The present study has identified three domains in AMPD1 that influence binding of this enzyme to MHC using a cotransfection model that permits assessment of mutations introduced into the AMPD1 peptide. One domain that encompasses residues 178–333 of this 727-amino acid peptide is essential for binding of AMPD1 to MHC. This region of AMPD1 shares sequence similarity with several regions of titin, another MHC binding protein. Two additional domains regulate binding of this peptide to MHC in response to intracellular and extracellular signals. A nucleotide binding site, which is located at residues 660–674, controls binding of AMPD1 to MHC in response to changes in intracellular ATP concentration. Deletion analyses demonstrate that the amino-terminal 65 residues of AMPD1 play a critical role in modulating the sensitivity to ATP-induced inhibition of MHC binding. Alternative splicing of the AMPD1 gene product, which alters the sequence of residues 8–12, produces two AMPD1 isoforms that exhibit different MHC binding properties in the presence of ATP. These findings are discussed in the context of the various roles proposed for AMPD in energy production in the myocyte.


1974 ◽  
Vol 52 (6) ◽  
pp. 469-482 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. O. Marshall ◽  
M. Kates

Pathways for biosynthesis of phosphatidylserine (PS), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), and phosphatidylcholine (PC), in spinach leaves have been studied both in vivo (whole leaves and leaf slices) and in vitro (cell-free leaf fractions). Biosynthesis of PS was shown to occur by the action of a particle-bound CDP-diglyceride: serine phosphatidyltransferase, and PE by the action of a PS-decarboxylase localized in the 100 000 × g supernatant fraction. PE was also formed by the operation of the CDP-ethanolamine:diglyceride phosphorylethanolamine transferase, localized in the microsomal fraction. The presence of ethanolamine kinase required for formation of phosphorylethanolamine was demonstrated in vitro, but not the presence of CTP:phosphorylethanolamine cytidyltransferase; however, the latter is presumed present on the basis of in vivo results. Operation of the methylation pathway for biosynthesis of PC was established in vivo, and direct methylation of phosphatidyl-N-methylethanolamine to phosphatidyl-N,N-dimethylethanolamine (PE-diMe) and of PE-diME to PC by S-adenosylmethionine was demonstrated with a particulate enzyme system localized in the microsomal fraction; direct methylation of PE itself could not be shown in this system. PC was also synthesized by the CDP-choline:diglyceride phosphorylcholine transferase system localized in the microsomal fraction. Synthesis of PE and PC by Ca2+-stimulated exchange reactions with ethanolamine and choline, respectively, could be demonstrated, but at low rates. However, no synthesis of PS by exchange reactions with serine could be detected.


1981 ◽  
Vol 36 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 87-92 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick C. Hallenbeck ◽  
Leon V. Kochian ◽  
John R. Benemann

Abstract Cultures of Anabaena cylindrica, grown on media containing 5 mᴍ NH4Cl (which represses heterocyst formation), evolved hydrogen after a period of dark incubation under an argon atmosphere. This hydrogen production was not due to nitrogenase activity, which was nearly undetectable, but was due to a hydrogenase. Cultures grown on media with tungsten substituted for molybdenum had a high frequency of heterocysts (15%) and inactive nitrogenase after nitrogen starvation. The hydrogenase activity of these cultures was three-fold greater than the activity of non-heterocystous cultures. The effects of oxygen inhibition on hydrogen evolution by hetero-cystous cultures suggest that two pools of hydrogenase activity exist - an oxygen sensitive hydrogen evolution in vegetative cells and a relatively oxygen-resistent hydrogen evolution in heterocysts. In either case, inhibition by oxygen was reversible. Light had an inhibitory effect on net hydrogen evolution. Hydrogen production in vitro was much higher than in vivo, indicating that in vivo hydrogenase activity is limited by endogenous reductant supply.


1980 ◽  
Vol 26 (9) ◽  
pp. 1072-1089 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dwight Baker ◽  
William Newcomb ◽  
John G. Torrey

The actinomycete, Frankia sp. EuI1, isolated from root nodules of Elaeagnus umbellata is an infective endophyte but which lacks the ability to form an effective nitrogen-fixing symbiosis with its host. This ineffective organism can be distinguished easily from other frankiae, in vitro, on the basis of size, morphology, and the elaboration of a diffusible pigment. Cross-inoculation studies indicated that the host range of this symbiont is narrow and probably restricted to the Elaeagnaceae. In all cases of nodulation the symbiosis never developed nitrogenase activity and the microsymbiont never produced endophytic vesicles within the infected host cells. Sporangia were produced in vivo and in vitro so the morphogenetic block is apparently restricted to vesicle formation.


1977 ◽  
Vol 166 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
I N H White ◽  
U Muller-Eberhard

1. 19-Nor-17alpha-pregna-1,3,5(10)-trien-20-yne-3,17-diol (ethynyloestradiol) or 17beta-hydroxy-19-nor-17alpha-pregn-4-en-20-yn-3-one (norethindrone) but not 17alpha-ethyl-17beta-hydroxy-19-norandrost-4-en-3-one (norethandrolone) caused a time-dependent loss of cytochrome P-450 when incubated in vitro with rat liver microsomal fractions and NADPH-generating systems. 2. The enzyme system catalysing the norethindrone-mediated loss of cytochrome P-450 had many characteristics of the microsomal mixed-function oxidases. It required NADPH and air, and was inhibited by Co. However, it was unaffected by 1 mM-compound SKF 525A. 3. In microsomal fractions from phenobarbitone-pretreated rats the norethindrone-mediated loss of cytochrome P-450 was increased relative to controls. The norethindrone-mediated cytochrome P-450 loss was less pronounced when the animals were pretreated with 3beta-hydroxy-pregn-5-en-2-one 16alpha-carbonitrile (pregnenolone 16alpha-carbonitrile). Pretreatment with 3-methylcholanthrene rendered the animals resistant to the norethindrone effect. 4. Administration in vivo [100mg/kg, intraperitoneally] of norethindrone or ethinyl oestradiol also produced a time-dependent loss of liver cytochrome P-450. Norethandrolone had a similar, though much less-marked, effect. All three steroids lead to an induction of 5-aminolaevulinate synthase and an accumulation of porphyrins in the liver. 5. The loss of cytochrome P-450 and the accumulation of porphyrins in the liver 2 h after the administration of norethindrone to female rats was similar to that seen in males. 6. Rats pretreated with phenobarbitone and given norethindrone or ethynyloestradiol (100mg/kg, intraperitoneally) formed green pigments in their livers. These had characteristics similar to the green pigments produced in the livers of rats after the administration of 2-allyl-2-isopropylacetamide. No green pigments could be extracted from the livers of control rats or those given norethandrolone, oestradiol or progesterone.


2001 ◽  
Vol 183 (1) ◽  
pp. 250-256 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yan Ma ◽  
Paul W. Ludden

ABSTRACT Dinitrogenase reductase is posttranslationally regulated by dinitrogenase reductase ADP-ribosyltransferase (DRAT) via ADP-ribosylation of the arginine 101 residue in some bacteria.Rhodospirillum rubrum strains in which the arginine 101 of dinitrogenase reductase was replaced by tyrosine, phenylalanine, or leucine were constructed by site-directed mutagenesis of thenifH gene. The strain containing the R101F form of dinitrogenase reductase retains 91%, the strain containing the R101Y form retains 72%, and the strain containing the R101L form retains only 28% of in vivo nitrogenase activity of the strain containing the dinitrogenase reductase with arginine at position 101. In vivo acetylene reduction assays, immunoblotting with anti-dinitrogenase reductase antibody, and [adenylate-32P]NAD labeling experiments showed that no switch-off of nitrogenase activity occurred in any of the three mutants and no ADP-ribosylation of altered dinitrogenase reductases occurred either in vivo or in vitro. Altered dinitrogenase reductases from strains UR629 (R101Y) and UR630 (R101F) were purified to homogeneity. The R101F and R101Y forms of dinitrogenase reductase were able to form a complex with DRAT that could be chemically cross-linked by 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-carbodiimide. The R101F form of dinitrogenase reductase and DRAT together were not able to cleave NAD. This suggests that arginine 101 is not critical for the binding of DRAT to dinitrogenase reductase but that the availability of arginine 101 is important for NAD cleavage. Both DRAT and dinitrogenase reductase can be labeled by [carbonyl-14C]NAD individually upon UV irradiation, but most 14C label is incorporated into DRAT when both proteins are present. The ability of R101F dinitrogenase reductase to be labeled by [carbonyl-14C]NAD suggested that Arg 101 is not absolutely required for NAD binding.


1991 ◽  
Vol 37 (10) ◽  
pp. 775-779 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hans-Paul Holzmann ◽  
Heinrich A. Berghammer ◽  
Martin Ortner ◽  
Kurt Haselwandter

The objective of this study was to analyse in vivo the effect of oxygen on the nitrogenase of Bacillus polymyxa. The culture technique employed in this study prevented spore formation by B. polymyxa during the entire period of exposure to acetylene. Under these conditions the acetylene-reduction assay allowed quantification of nitrogenase activity over long incubation periods (44 h). Nitrogenase activity was highest in cells harvested in the late logarithmic phase. At [Formula: see text] of 0.19 and 0.37 kPa, acetylene reduction was inhibited by 80 and 100%, respectively. This switch-off effect could be reversed through oxygen exhaustion, either by flushing the culture with N2 or by cellular respiration, suggesting a respiratory protection mechanism for the nitrogenase complex in B. polymyxa. Oxygen consumption measured by a closed-chamber respirometer showed a linear increase up to a [Formula: see text] of 0.2 kPa. Above 0.3 kPa a saturation in oxygen consumption was observed. Exposure to high oxygen pressures resulted in an irreversible loss of nitrogenase activity. The oxygen inhibition pattern was shown to be similar to that in other microaerophilic and anaerobic nitrogen-fixing microorganisms. Key words: Bacillus polymyxa, nitrogenase, oxygen inhibition, reversibility, respiration.


1983 ◽  
Vol 38 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 436-438
Author(s):  
Kassem Alef

Regulation of nitrogenase activity in Rhodopseudomonas capsulata AD 2 differs in several respects from other Rhodospirillaceae: 1)Nitrogenase activity in this strain grown under severe N-starvation was fully derepressed, but in contrast to other Rhodospirillaceae, it was inhibited by ammonia in vivo. 2)Nitrogenase in extracts of glutamate grown cells was fully active and not further stimulated by Mn2+. 3)Treatment of N-starved or glutamate grown cells with ammonia before harvest did not cause inactivation of nitrogenase in vitro.


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