Open AccessEvidence for an alternative nitrogenase in Heliobacterium gestii
Author(s) -
Kimble Linda K.,
Madigan Michael T.
Publication year - 1992
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.1574-6968.1992.tb14049.x
Subject(s) - nitrogenase , anoxygenic photosynthesis , molybdenum , vanadium , ethylene , acetylene , chemistry , bacteria , inorganic chemistry , phototroph , biochemistry , nitrogen fixation , biology , catalysis , organic chemistry , nitrogen , photosynthesis , genetics
The anoxygenic phototrophic bacterium Heliobacterium gestii grew and fixed dinitrogen in molybdenum‐deficient media when either iron or iron plus vanadium were present. Cultures grown on N 2 with iron or iron plus vanadium reduced acetylene to both ethylene and ethane; molybdenum‐grown cultures did not produce ethane. Cultures of Heliobacterium chlorum and Heliobacillus mobilis were unable to grow and fix dinitrogen in media devoid of molybdenum. It is concluded that H. gestii can synthesize an iron‐only alternative nitrogenase under appropriate culture conditions.