Oxyleghemoglobin-mediated Hydrogen Oxidation by Rhizobium japonicum USDA 122 DES Bacteroids

Oxyleghemoglobin was used to supply low concentrations of O(2) to H(2)-oxidizing bacteroids from Rhizobium japonicum USDA 122 DES. The H(2) oxidation system of these bacteroids was capable of effectively utilizing O(2) at the low concentrations of O(2) expected to be found in soybean nodules. Apparent K(m) values of approximately 10 nanomolar O(2) have been calculated for the oxyhydrogen reaction. These values include the K(m) values for both H(2) oxidation and endogenous substrate oxidation. Even in the presence of oxyleghemoglobin, H(2) additions stimulated C(2)H(2) reduction, reduced the rate of endogenous respiration and maintained the ATP contents of bacteroids. In our reconstituted oxyleghemoglobin and bacteriod system, we estimate that the H(2) oxidation system is capable of recycling all of the H(2) evolved during the N(2) fixation process.