Open AccessThe requirement for Mn 2+ and Ca 2+ in nitrogen fixation by the photosynthetic bacterium Rhodospirillum rubrum
Author(s) -
Cadez Polona,
Nordlund Stefan
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.tb04772.x
Subject(s) - rhodospirillum rubrum , nitrogenase , nitrogen fixation , enzyme , phototroph , biochemistry , nitrogen , chemistry , photosynthesis , rhodospirillaceae , in vivo , diazotroph , rhodospirillales , biophysics , biology , organic chemistry , microbiology and biotechnology
The role of Ca 2+ and Mn 2+ in Rhodospirillum rubrum grown under different conditions with respect to nitrogen source has been studied. The results show that this phototroph does not have an absolute requirement for these cations. In vitro studies of one of the enzymes operative in the metabolic regulation of nitrogenase in Rsp. rubrum have shown that Mn 2+ or Fe 2+ is required for activity. This investigation indicates that Mn 2+ is not required in vivo for the function of this enzyme, suggesting that either Fe 2+ is functional or that the enzyme has other properties when active in the cell.