An NAD(P)H-Nicotine Blue Oxidoreductase Is Part of the Nicotine Regulon and May Protect Arthrobacter nicotinovorans from Oxidative Stress during Nicotine Catabolism

An NAD(P)H-nicotine blue (quinone) oxidoreductase was discovered as a member of the nicotine catabolic pathway ofArthrobacter nicotinovorans . Transcriptional analysis and electromobility shift assays showed that the enzyme gene was expressed in a nicotine-dependent manner under the control of the transcriptional activator PmfR and thus was part of the nicotine regulon ofA. nicotinovorans . The flavin mononucleotide-containing enzyme uses NADH and, with lower efficiency, NADPH to reduce, by a two-electron transfer, nicotine blue to the nicotine blue leuco form (hydroquinone). Besides nicotine blue, several other quinones were reduced by the enzyme. The NAD(P)H-nicotine blue oxidoreductase may prevent intracellular one-electron reductions of nicotine blue which may lead to semiquinone radicals and potentially toxic reactive oxygen species.