Open AccessRegulation of nitrogenase activity in Anabaena variabilis by modification of the Fe protein
Author(s) -
Reich Sabine,
Böger Peter
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
fems microbiology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.899
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1574-6968
pISSN - 0378-1097
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-6968.1989.tb03022.x
Subject(s) - nitrogenase , anabaena variabilis , protein subunit , biochemistry , cyanobacteria , anabaena , antiserum , enzyme , chemistry , biology , biophysics , nitrogen fixation , antibody , bacteria , nitrogen , organic chemistry , gene , immunology , genetics
The nitrogenase components of Anabaena variabilis were isolated to prepare a specific antiserum against the cyanobacterial Fe protein. Thereby, the status of the Fe protein subunits could be analyzed after in‐vivo inactivation of nitrogenase. Firstly, nitrogenase activity was switched off by adding ammonia to intact filaments accompanied with the appearance of a slower migrating subunit of the Fe protein as shown by immunospecific Western blots. Inactivation of nitrogenase was correlated with about equal amounts of modified and non‐modified subunits of the Fe protein. Secondly, a rapid inactivation of nitrogenase was achieved by treatment of cells with oxygen, which was followed by a slow appearance of the modified subunit of the Fe protein.