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A mutation leading to the total lack of nitrite reductase activity in Escherichia coli K 12

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Summary

Mutants of E. coli, completely devoid of nitrite reductase activity with glucose or formate as donor were studied. Biochemical analysis indicates that they are simultaneously affected in nitrate reductase, nitrite reductase, fumarate reductase and hydrogenase activities as well as in cytochrome c552 biosynthesis. The use of an antiserum specific for nitrate reductase shows that the nitrate reductase protein is probably missing. A single mutation is responsible for this phenotype: the gene affected, nir R, is located close to tyr R i.e. at 29 min on the chromosomal map.

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Abbreviations

BV:

Benzyl-Viologen

NTG:

N-methyl-N-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine

NR:

nitrate reductase

NIR:

nitrite reductase

FR:

fumarate reductase

HYD:

hydrogenase

CYT c552 :

cytochrome c552

References

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Communicated by F. Gros

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Chippaux, M., Giudici, D., Abou-Jaoudé, A. et al. A mutation leading to the total lack of nitrite reductase activity in Escherichia coli K 12. Molec. Gen. Genet. 160, 225–229 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00267485

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