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Role of metal ions in negative regulation of nitrogen fixation by the nifL gene product from Klebsiella pneumoniae

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Summary

The ability of the Klebsiella pneumoniae nifL gene product to antagonise NIFA mediated transcriptional activation from the nifH promoter in vivo was inhibited either by metal deprivation, or by the presence of the iron chelators EDDA or Desferal in the growth medium. This inhibition of the repressive activity of NIFL was reversed by the addition of ferrous or manganous ions to the medium but was unaffected by other transition metals. The dependence on metal ions for NIFL activity was observed when NIFL was overexpressed and when cultures were exposed to oxygen or high levels of fixed nitrogen. Immunochemical evidence suggests that NIFL and NIFA associate to form a functional protein complex. Metal ions are apparently not required for the formation of this complex.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. AFRC Institute of Plant Science Research, Nitrogen Fixation Laboratory, University of Sussex, BN1 9RQ, Brighton, UK

    N. Henderson, S. Austin & R. A. Dixon

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  1. N. Henderson
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  2. S. Austin
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  3. R. A. Dixon
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Communicated by H. Hennecke

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Henderson, N., Austin, S. & Dixon, R.A. Role of metal ions in negative regulation of nitrogen fixation by the nifL gene product from Klebsiella pneumoniae . Mol Gen Genet 216, 484–491 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00334394

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00334394

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