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Measurement of chemoautotrophic CO2 assimilation in marine nitrifying bacteria: an enzymatic approach

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Abstract

Enzyme activities of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase (RUBPCase) and chemoautotrophic CO2 fixation were measured during batch growth of six marine nitrifying bacteria. The NH4-oxidizer Nitrosococcus oceanus and the NO2-oxidizer Nitrococcus mobilis were also examined during exponential growth at different temperatures, O2 tensions and nitrogen-limited growth rates. Cellular activities of RUBPCase and rates of CO2 fixation varied with age in batch culture, temperature, O2 tension and nitrogen limitation, but there was a significant positive correlation between both parameters. Below 26°C, the ratio of CO2 fixation:RUBPCase did not vary significantly with cellular physiological state. Ratios of chemoautotrophic CO2 fixation:RUBCase activity for the six nitrifiers indicated that the ratio was species dependent. Three NO2-oxidizers had a significantly lower CO2 to enzyme ratio than three NH4-oxidizers.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, 04575, West Boothbay Harbor, Maine, USA

    H. E. Glover

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  1. H. E. Glover
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Communicated by S. K. Pierce, College Park

Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences contribution No. 82017

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Glover, H.E. Measurement of chemoautotrophic CO2 assimilation in marine nitrifying bacteria: an enzymatic approach. Mar. Biol. 74, 295–300 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00403454

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