Abstract
Ammonia reversibly inhibits the nitrogenase activity not only in purple nonsulfur bacteria but in purple (Thiocapsa roseopersicina) and green (Chlorobium limicola forma thiosulfatophilum) sulfur bacteria as well.
The complete inhibition of nitrogenase activity (acetylene reduction) is observed about 30 s after addition of NH +4 (≥2.5×10-6 M) to cell suspensions. The pattern of ammonia inhibition of acetylene reduction in T. roseopersicina does not differ from the action of tetrabutylammonium and tetraphenylphosphonium (3 · 10-6-5·10-5 M) on nitrogenase activity of this bacterium.
Simultaneously with the “switch-off” effect of NH +4 a considerable increase of ATP in cells of Rhodobacter sphaeroides and C. limicola f. thiosulphatophilum was observed.
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Rodionov, Y.V., Lebedeva, N.V. & Kondratieva, E.N. Ammonia inhibition of nitrogenase activity in purple and green bacteria. Arch. Microbiol. 143, 345–347 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00412800
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00412800