Abstract
The nitrogenase activity in Rhodospirillum rubrum was changed when the cells were made either Mo-deficient or when Mo was replaced by tungsten (W) as trace element in the growth medium: In the absence of N2, normal Mo cells evolved H2 (via nitrogenase) from added malate in the light faster than W cells, which in turn evolved H2 faster than Mo-deficient cells. In the presence of N2, on the other hand, nitrogen fixation rate in W cells was very close to the low rate found with Mo-deficient cells.
Incubation after harvesting of Mo-deficient cells with 2×10-5 M molybdate or tungstate stimulated the H2 evolution (similarly with both trace elements) as well as the N2 fixation (Mo was more effective than W). This indicates that the nitrogenase activity of W cells was truly caused by W and not merely by remaining traces of Mo.
The ATP consumption is apparently higher with a W-containing nitrogenase than with the normal Mo-nitrogenase. Further, the affinity to N2 of the W cells seems to be lower than with the Mo cells.
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Paschinger, H. A changed nitrogenase activity in Rhodospirillum rubrum after substitution of tungsten for molybdenum. Arch. Microbiol. 101, 379–389 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00455954
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00455954