Open AccessThe nitrite reductase gene of Pseudomonas aeruginosa: Effect of growth conditions on the expression and construction of a mutant by gene disruption
Author(s) -
Zennaro Elisabetta,
Ciabatti Ilaria,
Cutruzzola Francesca,
D'Alessandro Rosanna,
Silvestrini Maria Chiara
Publication year - 1993
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.1574-6968.1993.tb06175.x
Subject(s) - nitrite reductase , complementation , nitrate reductase , mutant , pseudomonas aeruginosa , denitrifying bacteria , nitrite , nitrate , microbiology and biotechnology , anaerobic exercise , biology , biochemistry , pseudomonadales , gene , chemistry , denitrification , enzyme , bacteria , genetics , physiology , ecology , organic chemistry , nitrogen
The expression of nitrite reductase has been tested in a wild‐type strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pao1) as a function of nitrate concentration under anaerobic and aerobic conditions. Very low levels of basal expression are shown under non‐denitrifying conditions (i.e. absence of nitrate, in both aerobic and anaerobic conditions); anaerobiosis is not required for high levels of enzyme production in the presence of nitrate. A Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain, mutated in the nitrite reductase gene, has been obtained by gene replacement. This mutant, the first of this species described up to now, is unable to grow under anaerobic conditions in the presence of nitrate. The anaerobic growth can be restored by complementation with the wild‐type gene.