PubMed Health⌕ Search

SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “NITROGEN FIXATION”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 307 records · Page 17Linked to original sources
PubMed1977

Expression of Klebsiella pneumoniae nitrogen fixation genes in nitrate reductase mutants of Escherichia coli.

Nitrate reductase (nar) A, B and E mutants of Escherichia coli with plasmids carrying Klebsiella pneumoniae nitrogen fixation (nif) genes reduced acetylene independently of added molybdate, but nar D mutants showed pleiotropic dependence on the concentration of added molybdate for expression of both nar and nif. No complementation of nar mutations by nif occurred; nitrite but not nitrate repressed nif in nar hosts. Derepression of nif occurred in molybdenum-deficient nar D (nif) strains since nitrogenase peptides were present. nifB mutants, thought to have a lesion in the pathway of molybdenum to nitrogenase, as well as nif deletion mutants, had normal nitrate reductase activity.

Enzyme Repression↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Effect of nitrogen-containing compounds on hydrogen light emission and nitrogen fixation by purple bacteria].

The cells of Rhodospirillum rubrum and Thiocapsa roseopersicina grown in media containing glutamate and arginine, respectively, as well as under conditions of nitrogen fixation evolve H2 in the light. If the cultures were grown in media with NH4+, NO3-, urea, glutamine or asparagine, hydrogen photoevolution by the cells and acetylene reduction started after the lag-phase and proceeded at a low rate. Extracts of such cells did not display the activity of nitrogenase which could be assayed by the ATP-dependent evolution of H2 from dithionite. The data obtained confirm the fact that hydrogen photoevolution by purple bacteria involves nitrogenase whose synthesis is regulated (according to the action of glutamine) with the participation of glutamine synthetase. NH4+, glutamine and asparagine inhibit also hydrogen photoproduction by purple bacteria and acetylene photoreduction. However, they have no effect on hydrogen evolution in the dark by the cells of R. rubrum and T. roseopersicina in the presence of formiate or pyruvate, respectively, whereas carbon monoxide inhibits hydrogen production. Therefore, hydrogen production by purple bacteria in the dark must be catalyzed by hydrogenase.

Arginine↗
PubMed1995

A homolog of the Rhizobium meliloti nitrogen fixation gene fixN is involved in the production of a microaerobically induced oxidase activity in the phytopathogenic bacterium Agrobacterium tumefaciens.

Hybridization analysis using the Rhizobium meliloti nitrogen fixation gene fixN as a probe revealed the presence of a homologous DNA region in the phytopathogenic bacterium Agrobacterium tumefaciens. Hybridization signals were also detected with total DNAs of Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. phaseoli, Rhodobacter capsulatus and Escherichia coli, but not those of Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris and Pseudomonas putida. The hybridizing fragment from A. tumefaciens was cloned and sequenced. The predicted gene product of one of the two open reading frames identified on the sequenced fragment shows homology to FixN of different Rhizobiaceae as well as a low but significant similarity to subunit I of heme copper oxidases from various bacteria. The presence of five strictly conserved histidine residues previously implicated in forming ligands to heme and CuB in oxidases and the predicted membrane topology provide evidence that the A. tumefaciens fixN-like gene product is a component of the heme copper oxidase superfamily. The incomplete open reading frame starting only 8 nucleotides downstream of the fixN-like gene exhibits homology to Rhizobium fixO. Using an uidA (GUS) gene fusion it could be shown that the A. tumefaciens fixN-like gene is preferentially expressed under microaerobic conditions. Expression of the uidA fusion is abolished in R. meliloti fixJ and fixK mutants, indicating that an Fnr-like protein is involved in transcriptional regulation of the fixN-like gene in A. tumefaciens. The presence of an upstream DNA sequence motif identical to the Fnr-consensus binding site (anaerobox) further supports this hypothesis. A. tumefaciens mutated in the fixN-like gene shows decreased TMPD-specific oxidase activity under microaerobic conditions, indicating that the fixN-like gene or operon codes for proteins involved in respiration under reduced oxygen availability.

Agrobacterium tumefaciens↗
PubMed1977

Recombinant plasmid that carries part of the nitrogen fixation (nif) gene cluster of Klebsiella pneumoniae.

We have cloned fragments of the Klebsiella pneumoniae genome that carry part of the his operon and part of the nitrogen fixation (nif) gene cluster on the amplifiable plasmid pMB9. One particular plasmid, pCRA37, complements mutations in the hisD, nifB, and nifF loci. The physical map of pCRA37 as determined by restriction enzyme analysis correlates with the genetic map of the his-nif region as determined previously by phage P1-mediated cotransductional analysis.

Chromosome Mapping↗
PubMed1991

Isolation and complementation of nitrogen fixation mutants of the cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. strain PCC 7120.

Approximately 140 mutants of Anabaena sp. strain PCC 7120 unable to grow aerobically on media lacking fixed nitrogen (Fix-) were isolated after mutagenesis with diethyl sulfate and penicillin enrichment. A large cosmid library of wild-type Anabaena sp. strain PCC 7120 DNA was constructed in a mini-RK-2 shuttle vector, and seven mutants representing several morphologically abnormal heterocyst phenotypes were complemented. One of these mutants, 216, failed to differentiate heterocysts. All of these mutants except 216 reduced acetylene under anaerobic conditions, indicating that they are not defective in nitrogen fixation per se. Several cosmids were isolated from each complemented mutant and in most cases showed similar restriction patterns. Comparisons of the complementing cosmids from mutant 216 and two other phenotypically distinct mutants by restriction enzyme analysis identified a common region. This region, when present in either a cosmid or a 9.5-kb NheI subclone, is capable of efficiently complementing all three mutants. A 2.4-kb subclone of this region complements mutant 216 only.

Anaerobiosis↗
PubMed2006

Study of nitrogen fixation in microbial communities of oil-contaminated marine sediment microcosms.

Aerobic microbial degradation of pollutant oil (petroleum) in aquatic environments is often severely limited by the availability of combined nitrogen. We therefore studied whether the microbial community enriched in marine sediment microcosms with an added oil layer and exposure to light harboured nitrogenase activity. The acetylene reduction (AR) assay indeed indicated active nitrogenase; however, similar activity was observed in oil-free control microcosms. In both microcosms, the AR rate was significantly reduced upon a dark shift, indicating that enriched cyanobacteria were the dominant diazotrophs. Analysis of structural dinitrogenase reductase genes (nifH) amplified from both microcosms indeed revealed NifH sequences related mostly to those of heterocystous cyanobacteria. NifH sequences typically affiliating with those of heterotrophic bacteria were more frequently retrieved from the oil-containing sediment. Expression analyses showed that mainly nifH genes similar to those of heterocystous cyanobacteria were expressed in the light. Upon a dark shift, nifH genes related to those of non-heterocystous cyanobacteria were expressed. Expression of nifH assignable to heterotrophs was apparently not significant. It is concluded that cyanobacteria are the main contributors of fixed nitrogen to oil-contaminated and pristine sediments if nitrogen is a limiting factor and if light is available. Hence, also the oil-degrading heterotrophic community may thus receive a significant part of combined nitrogen from cyanobacteria, even though oil vice versa apparently does not stimulate an additional nitrogen fixation in the enriched community.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1984

Experimental determination of the respiration associated with soybean/rhizobium nitrogenase function, nodule maintenance, and total nodule nitrogen fixation.

The total metabolic cost of soybean (Glycine max L. Mer Clark) nodule nitrogen fixation was empirically separated into respiration associated with electron flow through nitrogenase and respiration associated with maintenance of nodule function.Rates of CO(2) evolution and H(2) evolution from intact, nodulated root systems under Ar:O(2) atmospheres decreased in parallel when plants were maintained in an extended dark period. While H(2) evolution approached zero after 36 hours of darkness at 22 degrees C, CO(2) evolution rate remained at 38 degrees of the rate measured in light. Of the remaining CO(2) evolution, 62% was estimated to originate from the nodules and represents a measure of nodule maintenance respiration. The nodule maintenance requirement was temperature dependent and was estimated at 79 and 137 micromoles CO(2) (per gram dry weight nodule) per hour at 22 degrees C and 30 degrees C, respectively.The cost of N(2) fixation in terms of CO(2) evolved per electron pair utilized by nitrogenase was estimated from the slope of H(2) evolution rate versus CO(2) evolution rate. The cost was 2 moles CO(2) evolved per mole H(2) evolved and was independent of temperature.In this symbiosis, nodule maintenance consumed 22% of total respiratory energy while the functioning of nitrogenase consumed a further 52%. The remaining respiratory energy was calculated to be associated with ammonia assimilation, transport of reduced N, and H(2) evolution.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1985

Isolation and organization of genes for nitrogen fixation in Rhodopseudomonas capsulata.

A library of Rhodopseudomonas capsulata chromosomal DNA was constructed in the broad host range cosmid vector pLAFR1. The library was used to isolate nitrogen fixation genes by complementation of R. capsulata Nif- mutants. Four complementing regions were localized on different cloned DNA fragments by Tn5 and mini-Mu mutagenesis. Additional nif genes were identified by recombination of transposons from the nif cosmids into the R. capsulata chromosome resulting in the creation of new Nif- mutations. Most of the newly cloned DNA fragments containing nif genes were found to be unlinked to any other by Southern hybridization of the cloned DNA to chromosomal DNA blots. One of the new fragments was linked to the nifHDK genes. Another cluster spanning 10-12 kilobase pairs contained a number of nif genes, possibly as many as eight.

Chromosome Mapping↗
PubMed1999

Azorhizobium caulinodans PII and GlnK proteins control nitrogen fixation and ammonia assimilation.

We herein report that Azorhizobium caulinodans PII and GlnK are not necessary for glutamine synthetase (GS) adenylylation whereas both proteins are required for complete GS deadenylylation. The disruption of both glnB and glnK resulted in a high level of GS adenylylation under the condition of nitrogen fixation, leading to ammonium excretion in the free-living state. PII and GlnK also controlled nif gene expression because NifA activated nifH transcription and nitrogenase activity was derepressed in glnB glnK double mutants, but not in wild-type bacteria, grown in the presence of ammonia.

Adenosine Monophosphate↗
PubMed1988

Genome rearrangement and nitrogen fixation in Anabaena blocked by inactivation of xisA gene.

Two genome rearrangements involving 11- and 55-kilobase DNA elements occur during the terminal differentiation of an Anabaena photosynthetic vegetative cell into a nitrogen-fixing heterocyst. The xisA gene, located on the nifD 11-kilobase DNA element, was inactivated by recombination between the chromosome and a copy of the xisA gene that was mutated by inserting an antibiotic gene cassette. Site-directed inactivation of the Anabaena xisA gene blocked rearrangement of the 11-kilobase element and nitrogen fixation, but did not affect rearrangement of the 55-kilobase element, heterocyst differentiation, or heterocyst pattern formation.

Cyanobacteria↗
PubMed1979

Glutamine synthetase mutations which affect expression of nitrogen fixation genes in Klebsiella pneumoniae.

Previous studies have implicated glutamine synthetase (L-glutamate:ammonia ligase [adenosine diphosphate for-ing], EC 6.6.1.2) as a major controlling element of the nitrogen fixation (nif) genes in Klebsiella pneumoniae. We report here the isolation of a new class of K. pneumoniae mutants which exhibit altered patterns of nif and hut (histidine utlization) regulation. The expression of nif in these mutants, which were isolated as Gln+ (glutamine nonrequiring) revertants of a particular glnA mutation, is extremely sensitive to ammonia repression. These mutants have a Nif- Hut- phenotype at external ammonia concentrations at which wild-type strains are Nif+ Hut+. On the other hand, these mutants can be fully derepressed for nif at very low ammonia concentrations. We adopted the nomenclature "GlnR- (Nif- Hut-)" to facilitate discussion of the phenotype of these mutant strains. The mutations in these strains which confer the GlnR- phenotype map at or near glnA, the structural gene for glutamine synthetase.

Ammonia↗
PubMed2003

Nitrogen fixation: the mechanism of the Mo-dependent nitrogenase.

This review focuses on recent developments elucidating the mechanism of the Mo-dependent nitrogenase. This enzyme, responsible for the majority of biological nitrogen fixation, is composed of two component proteins called the MoFe protein and the Fe protein. Recent progress in understanding the mechanism of this enzyme has focused on elucidating the structures of the active site metal clusters and of the proteins, understanding substrate interactions with the active site, defining the flow of electron transfer between the metal clusters, and defining the various roles of MgATP hydrolysis.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed2003

Dark chilling effects on soybean genotypes during vegetative development: parallel studies of CO2 assimilation, chlorophyll a fluorescence kinetics O-J-I-P and nitrogen fixation.

The effects of dark chilling on CO2 assimilation, chlorophyll a fluorescence kinetics and nitrogen fixation were compared in two Glycine max (L.) Merr. genotypes. The aim was to elucidate the mechanisms by which photosynthesis was inhibited as well as identification of selection criteria for dark chilling tolerance. Seedlings were dark chilled (8 degrees C) for 9 consecutive nights but kept at normal day temperatures (28 degrees C). CO2 gas exchange analysis indicated that photosynthesis in Maple Arrow was inhibited largely as a result of stomatal limitation, while in Fiskeby V, it indicated inhibition of the mesophyll reactions. Increased intercellular CO2 concentration and decreased carboxylation efficiency suggested loss of Rubisco activity in Fiskeby V, although no effect on the KM (CO2) of Rubisco was observed. Quantification and deconvolution of the Chl a fluorescence transients into several phenomenological and biophysical parameters (JIP-test) revealed large genotypic differences in the response of PSII to dark chilling. These parameters differentially changed in the two genotypes during the progression of the chilling treatment. Among them, the performance index, reflecting several responses of the photochemical apparatus, provided the best preliminary overall assessment of the genotypes. In contrast, the quantum yield of primary photochemistry varphiPo (FV/FM) was quite insensitive. The recovery of most of the JIP-test parameters in Maple Arrow after 6 and 9 nights of dark chilling was a major genotypic difference. Genotypic differences were also observed with regard to the ureide response and N2 fixation appeared to be more sensitive to dark chilling than CO2 assimilation. The JIP-test provided information consistent with results derived from CO2 assimilation and N2 fixation studies suggesting that it can substitute the much more time-consuming methods for the detection of chilling stress and can well satisfy the requirements of a rapid and accurate screening method.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1979

Carbon Dioxide Fixation by Lupin Root Nodules: II. Studies with C-labeled Glucose, the Pathway of Glucose Catabolism, and the Effects of Some Treatments That Inhibit Nitrogen Fixation.

Labeling studies using detached lupin (Lupinus angustifolius) nodules showed that over times of less than 3 minutes, label from [3,4-(14)C]glucose was incorporated into amino acids, predominantly aspartic acid, to a much greater extent than into organic acids. Only a slight preferential incorporation was observed with [1-(14)C]- and [6-(14)C]glucose, while with [U-(14)C]-glucose more label was incorporated into organic acids than into amino acids at all labeling times. These results are consistent with a scheme whereby the "carbon skeletons" for amino acid synthesis are provided by the phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase reaction.A comparison of (14)CO(2) release from nodules supplied with [1-(14)C]- and [6-(14)C]glucose indicated that the oxidative pentose phosphate pathway accounted for less than 6% of glucose metabolism. Several enzymes of the oxidative pentose phosphate and glycolytic pathways were assayed in vitro using the 12,000g supernatant fraction from nodule homogenates. In all cases, the specific activities were adequate to account for the calculated in vivo fluxes.Three out of four diverse treatments that inhibited nodule nitrogen fixation also inhibited nodule CO(2) fixation, and in the case of the fourth treatment, replacement of N(2) with He, it was shown that the normal entry of label from exogenous (14)CO(2) into the nodule amino acid pool was strongly inhibited.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1992

Pectin decomposition and associated nitrogen fixation by mixed cultures of Azospirillum and Bacillus species.

Cocultures of different Azospirillum species with Bacillus polymyxa or Bacillus subtilis allow the efficient utilization of pectin as carbon and energy sources for nitrogen fixation. The nitrogenase activity obtained with cocultures was as high as 30-80 nmol C2H4 h-1 mL-1, a much higher value than that obtained with pure cultures of either Azospirillum (up to 13 nmol C2H4 h-1 mL-1) or B. polymyxa (up to 2 nmol C2H4 h-1 mL-1) alone. To establish to what extent each partner contributed to nitrogenase activity, acetylene reduction was assayed as a function of time and it was also measured on Azospirillum cultivated in the cultures filtrates of the Bacillus. The results suggested that the nitrogenase activity was mostly produced by Azospirillum. The nitrogenase activity occurred at the expense of the degradation and fermentation products of the pectin. The new pectinolytic species, Azospirillum irakense, utilized both degradation and fermentation products of pectin, whereas the nonpectinolytic strains (Azospirillum brasilense, Azospirillum lipoferum, Azospirillum amazonense) utilized only the fermentation products of pectin, including acetic and succinic acids. These cocultures can be considered as metabolic associations, where the Bacillus produces degradation and fermentation products of pectin, which can be used by Azospirillum species.

Azospirillum↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Soil microbial activities and carbon and nitrogen fixation.

Soil microbial activity that reflects microbiological processes of soil microorganisms is the potential indicator of soil quality, as plants rely on soil microorganisms to mineralize organic nutrients for growth and development. Soil microorganisms also process plant litter and residues into soil organic matter, a direct and stable reservoir of carbon and nitrogen that consists of living and dead organic materials subject to rapid biological decomposition. In natural systems, the action of soil microorganisms is a major determinant of efficient nutrient cycling. This paper reviews the current state of knowledge on the fate of soil microorganisms in terms of carbon and nitrogen fixation.

Bacteria↗
PubMed1981

Nitrogen fixation (acetylene reduction) by Klebsiella pneumoniae in association with 'Park' Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.).

Turks of 'Park' Kentucky bluegrass reestablished in the greenhouse and inoculated with Klebsiella pneumoniae (W6) showed significantly increased nitrogen fixation (acetylene reduction) compared with control turfs. Mean ethylene production rates per pot were 368 nmol h-1 for K. pneumoniae treated turfs, 55 nmol h-1 for heat-killed K. pneumoniae treated turfs, and 44 nmol h-1 for untreated turfs. Calculated lag periods before activity was observed were generally very short (less than 1 h). When 'Park' Kentucky bluegrass was grown from seed on soil-less medium of Turface, a fired aggregate clay, inoculation with K. pneumoniae (W6) resulted in 9 of 11 turfs showing nitrogenase activity (mean ethylene production rate per pot was 195 nmol h-1). Only 3 of 11 turfs treated with heat-killed K. pneumoniae showed any activity and their mean rate of ethylene production (40 nmol h-1 per pot) was significantly lower than that for turfs treated with K. pneumoniae. Using the 'Park'--Turface soil-less model system it was shown that acetylene reducing activity was (i) root associated, (ii) generally highest at a depth of 1--4 cm below the surface, (iii) enhanced by washing excised roots, and (iv) inhibited by surface sterilization of excised roots. Klebsiella pneumoniae was recovered from Turface and roots showing acetylene reducing activity.

Acetylene↗