Regulation of Nitrogenase Biosynthesis in Free-Living and Symbiotic N2-Fixing Bacteria: a Comparison

  • H. Hennecke
Conference paper
Part of the Proceedings in Life Sciences book series (LIFE SCIENCES)

Abstract

Nitrogenase activity of N2 fixing cells has usually been detected by the simple acetylene reduction assay. Only very recently have studies been initiated to measure the formation of nif mRNA and nif polypeptides. Experiments of this kind yield more direct information about the regulatory constraints acting on nif gene expression and avoid all the complications imposed by the further series of steps necessary for the production of an active nitrogenase complex, such as subunit modification and assembly, incorporation of cofactors (Mo, Fe, S), the functioning of an electron transport system and the availability of sufficient ATP as an energy source.

Keywords

Glutamine Synthetase Crude Cell Extract Acetylene Reduction Activity Polypeptide Synthesis Rhizobium Japonicum 
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.
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Copyright information

© Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 1981

Authors and Affiliations

  • H. Hennecke
    • 1
  1. 1.Lehrstuhl für MikrobiologieUniversität MünchenMünchenGermany

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