Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Effect of nitrate, ammonia and nitrogen starvation on the regulation of nitrate reductase in Cyanidium caldarium

  • Published:
Archiv für Mikrobiologie Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

Cells of Cyanidium caldarium grown with ammonia or ammonium nitrate as nitrogen source do not contain appreciable nitrate reductase activity. The alga develops the capacity to synthesize the enzyme when it is transferred from the ammonium medium to a nitrogen-free medium. Nitrate is not needed as an inducer and no enhancement in the rate of enzyme synthesis is observed when it is present. By contrast, whereas the synthesis of the enzyme in nitrogen-free medium proceeds at an increasing rate, in the nitrate medium it attains a stationary level after a short time.

Nitrate grown cells possess variable amount of inactive nitrate reductase (from 9 to 60%) whereas in nitrogen-free medium the enzyme occurs principally in a fully active form. Addition of ammonia inactivates reversibly the preexisting enzyme. The inactive enzyme is measurable in the crude extract after activation by heating.

It is suggested that in Cyanidium the inactivating effect of ammonia, which is the end product of nitrate reduction, in association with the repression of enzyme controls the level of nitrate reductase activity.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Aparicio, P. H., Cardenas, J., Zumft, W. G., Ma Vega, J., Herrera, J., Paneque, A., Losada, M.: Molybdenum and iron as constituents of the enzymes of the nitrate reducing system from Chlorella. Phytochemistry 10, 1487–1495 (1971).

    Google Scholar 

  • Holzer, H.: Regulation of enzymes by enzyme-catalized chemical modification. Advanc. Enzymol. 32, 297–326 (1969).

    Google Scholar 

  • Hynes, M. J.: Induction and repression of amidase enzymes in Aspergillus nidulans. J. Bact. 103, 482–487 (1970).

    Google Scholar 

  • Ingle, J., Joy, K. W., Hageman, R. H.: The regulation of activity of the enzymes involved in the assimilation of nitrate by higher plants. Biochem. J. 100, 577–588 (1966).

    Google Scholar 

  • Lewis, C. M., Fincham, J. R. S.: Regulation of nitrate reductase in the Basidiomycete Ustilago maydis. J. Bact. 103, 55–61 (1970).

    Google Scholar 

  • Losada, M., Paneque, A., Aparicio, P. J., Ma Vega, J., Cardenas, J., Herrera, J.: Inactivation and repression by ammonium of the nitrate reducing system in Chlorella. Biochem. biophys. Res. Commun. 38, 1009–1015 (1970).

    Google Scholar 

  • Lowry, O. H., Rosebrough, N. J., Farr, A. L., Randall, R. J.: Protein measurement with the Folin phenol reagent. J. biol. Chem. 193, 265–275 (1951).

    Google Scholar 

  • Morris, I., Syrett, P. G.: The development of nitrate reductase in Chlorella and its repression by ammonium. Arch. Mikrobiol. 47, 32–41 (1963).

    Google Scholar 

  • Notton, B. A., Hewitt, E. J.: Incorporation of radioactive molybdenum into protein during nitrate reductase formation and effect of molybdenum on nitrate reductase and diaphorase activities of spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.). Plant and Cell Physiol. 12, 465–477 (1971a).

    Google Scholar 

  • Notton, B. A., Hewitt, E. J.: Reversible cyanide inhibition of spinach (Spinacea oleracea L.) nitrate reductase and non-exchangeability in vitro of protein bound molybdenum and tungsten. FEBS Lett. 18, 19–22 (1971b).

    Google Scholar 

  • Pichinoty, F., Méténier, G.: Régulation de la biosynthèse et localisation de la nitrate réductase d'Hansenula anomala. Ann. Inst. Pasteur 112, 701–711 (1967).

    Google Scholar 

  • Rigano, C.: Quelques observations préliminaires concernant la nitrate réductase d'Ankistrodesmus braunii. Arch. Mikrobiol. 70, 147–156 (1970).

    Google Scholar 

  • Rigano, C.: Studies on nitrate reductase from Cyanidium caldarium. Arch. Mikrobiol. 76, 265–276 (1971).

    Google Scholar 

  • Rigano, C., Violante, U.: A latent nitrate reductase from a thermophilic alga. Biochem. biophys. Res. Commun. 47, 372–379 (1972a).

    Google Scholar 

  • Rigano, C., Violante, U.: Effect of heat treatment on the activity in vitro of nitrate reductase from Cyanidium caldarium. Biochim. biophys. Acta (Amst.) 265, 524–532 (1972b).

    Google Scholar 

  • Rigano, C., Violante, U.: Comparative growth of the thermal alga Cyanidium caldarium on nitrate and ammonia at different temperatures. Arch. Mikrobiol. 85, 13–18 (1972c).

    Google Scholar 

  • Subramaniam, K. N., Sorger, G. J.: Regulation of nitrate reductase in Neurospora crassa: Stability in vivo. J. Bact. 110, 558–546 (1972).

    Google Scholar 

  • Syrett, P. J., Morris, I.: The inhibition of nitrate assimilation by ammonium in Chlorella. Biochim. biophys. Acta (Amst.) 67, 566–575 (1963).

    Google Scholar 

  • Vega, J. Ma, Herrera, J., Aparicio, P. J., Paneque, A., Losada, M.: Role of molybdenum in nitrate reduction by Chlorella. Plant Physiol. 48, 294–299 (1971).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Istituto di Botanica dell'Università di Napoli, Napoli, Italia

    Carmelo Rigano & Umberto Violante

Authors
  1. Carmelo Rigano
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Umberto Violante
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Rigano, C., Violante, U. Effect of nitrate, ammonia and nitrogen starvation on the regulation of nitrate reductase in Cyanidium caldarium . Archiv. Mikrobiol. 90, 27–33 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00424821

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00424821

Keywords

Search

Navigation