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Structure and Reactivity of Nitrogenase — An Overview

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Advances in Nitrogen Fixation Research

Part of the book series: Advances in Agricultural Biotechnology ((AABI,volume 4))

Abstract

Nitrogenase is composed of two separately purified proteins called the molybdenum-iron protein (MoFe protein) and the iron protein (Fe protein).1. N2 fixation and all other reductions catalyzed by nitrogenase require both component proteins, a source of reducing equivalents, MgATP, protons and an anaerobic environment. This overview covers what has been learned recently about the composition, structure and redox properties of the two component proteins and the events that occur during nitrogenase turnover. Fortunately, diffraction quality crystals have recently been obtained for both the MoFe protein (Cp1 and Av1; Weiniger, Mortenson, 1982) and the Fe protein (Av2; Rees, Howard, 1983). Thus, many of the questions raised below may soon have definitive answers.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Charles F. Kettering Research Laboratory, Yellow Springs, Ohio, 45387, USA

    Barbara K. Burgess

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  1. Barbara K. Burgess
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biochemistry, Agricultural University, Wageningen, The Netherlands

    C. Veeger (Chairperson) (Chairperson)

  2. Research Laboratories, C.F. Kettering Foundation, 45387, Yellow Springs, Ohio, USA

    W. E. Newton (Co-Chairperson) (Co-Chairperson)

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© 1984 Martinus Nijhoff/Dr W. Junk Publishers, The Hague and Pudoc, Wageningen

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Burgess, B.K. (1984). Structure and Reactivity of Nitrogenase — An Overview. In: Veeger, C., Newton, W.E. (eds) Advances in Nitrogen Fixation Research. Advances in Agricultural Biotechnology, vol 4. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-6923-0_43

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-6923-0_43

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