Open AccessIdentification of structural nif genes in an iron‐oxidising moderate thermophile
Author(s) -
Holden P.J.
Publication year - 1991
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.1574-6968.1991.tb04379.x
Subject(s) - thermophile , chemistry , nitrogenase , nitrogen , bacteria , biochemistry , ammonia , thiobacillus ferrooxidans , food science , composition (language) , carbon fibers , nuclear chemistry , biology , nitrogen fixation , enzyme , organic chemistry , materials science , linguistics , philosophy , composite number , composite material , genetics
The presence of nucleotides which are homologous to the nif HDK genes of Thiobacillus ferrooxidans was demonstrated in total DNA preparations of NMW‐6, an iron‐oxidising bacterium of the Thiobacillus ‐like group of moderate thermophiles. Acetylene reduction assays did not indicate active nitrogenase in suspensions of whole cells, despite varying the headspace gas composition, cell density, temperature, carbon and nitrogen content of the assay medium, and the temperature and nutritional conditions used to raise the biomass. Growth and iron oxidation by NMW‐6 were observed in medium containing no added nitrogen at 37°C. Analysis of freshly prepared medium by HPLC indicated the presence of sufficient NH 4 , absorbed from the atmosphere, to support growth.