Repression of nitrate reductase activity and loss of antigenically detectable protein in Neurospora crassa

Experiments were performed to determine whether conditions which cause the rapid loss of nitrate reductase activity in Neurospora crassa mycelia were accompanied by the loss of antigenically detectable nitrate reductase protein. When mycelia with nitrate reductase activity were transferred to ammonia media, there was a rapid loss in the reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide-nitrate reductase activity plus the parallel loss of the reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide-diaphorase and the reduced methyl viologen-nitrate reductase activities associated with the nitrate reductase. In addition, there was the loss of cross-reacting material to anti-nitrate reductase antisera that was concomitant with the loss of nitrate reductase activity. When mycelia were exposed to either ammonia plus cycloheximide, nitrate plus cycloheximide, or nitrogen-free media, or to media which lacked an assimilable carbon source, the amount of cross-reacting material declined in concert with the nitrate reductase activity. The mutant nit-6, which lacks nitrite reductase activity, was exposed to ammonia or nitrate plus cycloheximide media. The nitrate reductase and the amount of cross-reacting material declined together as in the wild-type mycelia. We conclude that the loss of nitrate reductase activity was accompanied by the specific loss of this protein and that no pool of inactivated nitrate reductase molecules existed.     

Lipid composition and (Na+ + K+)-ATPase activity in rat lens during triparanol-induced cataract formation

In vitro complementation of the soluble assimilatory NAD(P)H-nitrate reductase (NAD(P)H:nitrate oxidoreductase, EC 1.6.6.2) was attained by mixing cell-free preparations of Chlamydomonas reinhardii mutant 104, uniquely possessing nitrate-inducible NAD(P)H-cytochrome c reductase, and mutant 305 which possesses solely the nitrate-inducible FMNH2- and reduced benzyl viologen-nitrate reductase activities. Full activity and integrity of NAD(P)H-cytochrome c reductase from mutant 104 and reduced benzyl viologen-nitrate reductase from mutant 305 are needed for the complementation to take place. A constitutive and heat-labile molybdenum-containing cofactor, that reconstitutes the NAD(P)H-nitrate reductase activity of nit-1 Neurospora crassa but is incapable of complementing with 104 from C. reinhardii, is present in the wild type and 305 algal strains. The complemented NAD(P)H-nitrate reductase has been purified 100-fold and was found to be similar to the wild enzyme in sucrose density sedimentation, molecular size, pH optimum, kinetic parameters, substrate affinity and sensitivity to inhibitors and temperature. From previous data and data presented in this article on 104 and 305 mutant activities, it is concluded that C. reinhardii NAD(P)H-nitrate reductase is a heteromultimeric complex consisting of, at least, two types of subunits separately responsible for the NAD(P)H-cytochrome c reductase and the reduced benzyl viologen-nitrate reductase activities.     

In vitro restoration of nitrate reductase: investigation of Aspergillus nidulans and Neurospora crassa nitrate reductase mutants.

Extracts of Aspergillus nidulans wild type (bi-1) and the nitrate reductase mutant niaD-17 were active in the in vitro restoration of NADPH-dependent nitrate reductase when mixed with extracts of Neurospora crassa, nit-1. Among the A. nidulans cnx nitrate reductase mutants tested, only the molybdenum repair mutant, cnxE-14 grown in the presence of 10-minus 3 M Na2 MoO4 was active in the restoration assay. Aspergillus extracts contained an inhibitor(s) which was measured by the decrease in NADPH-dependent nitrate reductase formed when extracts of Rhodospirillum rubrum and N. crassa, nit-1 were incubated at room temperature. The inhibition by extracts of A. nidulans, bi-1, cnxE-14, cnxG-4 and cnxH-3 was a linear function of time and a logarithmic function of the protein concentration in the extract. The molybdenum content of N. crassa wild type and nit-1 mycelia were found to be similar, containing approx. 10 mu g molybdenum/mg dry mycelium. The NADPH-dependent cytochrome c reductase associated with nitrate reductase was purified from both strains. The NADPH-dependent cytochrome c reductase associated with nitrate reductase was purified from both strains. The enzyme purified from wild-type N. crassa contained more than 1 mol of molybdenum per mol of enzyme, whereas the enzyme purified from nit-1 contained negligible amounts of molybdenum.     

In Vitro Formation of Nitrate Reductase Using Extracts of the Nitrate Reductase Mutant of Neurospora crassa, nit-1, and Rhodospirillum rubrum

In vitro formation of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH)-nitrate reductase (NADPH: nitrate oxido-reductase, EC 1.6.6.2) has been attained by using extracts of the nitrate reductase mutant of Neurospora crassa, nit-1, and extracts of either photosynthetically or heterotrophically grown Rhodospirillum rubrum, which contribute the constitutive component. The in vitro formation of NADPH-nitrate reductase is characterized by the conversion of the flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) stimulated NADPH-cytochrome c reductase, contributed by the N. crassa nit-1 extract from a slower sedimenting form (4.5S) to a faster sedimenting form (7.8S). The 7.8S NADPH-cytochrome c reductase peak coincides in sucrose density gradient profiles with the NADPH-nitrate reductase, FADH(2)-nitrate reductase and reduced methyl viologen (MVH)-nitrate reductase activities which are also formed in vitro. The constitutive component from R. rubrum is soluble (both in heterotrophically and photosynthetically grown cells), is stimulated by the addition of 10(-4) M Na(2)MoO(4) and 10(-2) M NaNO(3) to cell-free preparations, and has variable activity over the pH range from 3.0 to 9.5. The activity of the constitutive component in some extracts showed a threefold stimulation when the pH was lowered from 6.5 to 4.0. The constitutive activity appears to be associated with a large molecular weight component which sediments as a single peak in sucrose density gradients. However, the constitutive component from R. rubrum is dialyzable and is insensitive to trypsin and protease. These results demonstrate that R. rubrum contains the constitutive component and suggests that it is a low molecular weight, trypsin- and protease-insensitive factor which participates in the in vitro formation of NADPH nitrate reductase.     

Regulation of the nitrate-reducing system enzymes in wild-type and mutant strains of Chlamydomonas reinhardii

Summary Six mutant strains (301, 102, 203, 104, 305, and 307) affected in their nitrate assimilation capability and their corresponding parental wild-type strains (6145c and 21gr) from Chlamydomonas reinhardii have been studied on different nitrogen sources with respect to NAD(P)H-nitrate reductase and its associated activities (NAD(P)H-cytochrome c reductase and reduced benzyl viologen-nitrate reductase) and to nitrite reductase activity. The mutant strains lack NAD(P)H-nitrate reductase activity in all the nitrogen sources. Mutants 301, 102, 104, and 307 have only NAD(P)H-cytochrome c reductase activity whereas mutant 305 solely has reduced benzyl viologen-nitrate reductase activity. Both activities are repressible by ammonia but, in contrast to the nitrate reductase complex of wild-type strains, require neither nitrate nor nitrite for their induction. Moreover, the enzyme from mutant 305 is always obtained in active form whereas nitrate reductase from wild-types needs to be reactivated previously with ferricyanide to be fully detected. Wild-type strains and mutants 301, 102, 104, and 307, when properly induced, exhibit an NAD(P)H-cytochrome c reductase distinguishable electrophoretically from contitutive diaphorases as a rapidly migrating band. Nitrite reductase from wild-type and mutant strains is also repressible by ammonia and does not require nitrate or nitrite for its synthesis. These facts are explained in terms of a regulation of nitrate reductase synthesis by the enzyme itself.     

Induction and Repression of Nitrate Reductase in Neurospora crassa

Synthesis of wild-type Neurospora crassa assimilatory nitrate reductase is induced in the presence of nitrate ions and repressed in the presence of ammonium ions. Effects of several Neurospora mutations on the regulation of this enzyme are shown: (i) the mutants, nit-1 and nit-3, involving separate lesions, lack reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADPH)-nitrate reductase activity and at least one of three other activities associated with the wild-type enzyme. The two mutants do not require the presence of nitrate for induction of their aberrant nitrate reductases and are constitutive for their component nitrate reductase activities in the absence of ammonium ions. (ii) An analog of the wild-type enzyme (similar to the nit-1 enzyme) is formed when wild type is grown in a medium in which molybdenum has been replaced by vanadium or tungsten; the resulting enzyme lacks NADPH-nitrate reductase activity. Unlike nit-1, wild type produced this analog only in the presence of nitrate. Contaminating nitrate does not appear to be responsible for the observed mutants' activities. Nitrate reductase is proposed to be autoregulated. (iii) Mutants (am) lacking NADPH-dependent glutamate dehydrogenase activity partially escape ammonium repression of nitrate reductase. The presence of nitrate is required for the enzyme's induction. (iv) A double mutant, nit-1 am-2, proved to be an ideal test system to study the repressive effects of nitrogen-containing metabolites on the induction of nitrate reductase activity. The double mutant does not require nitrate for induction of nitrate reductase, and synthesis of the enzyme is not repressed by the presence of high concentrations of ammonium ions. It is, however, repressed by the presence of any one of six amino acids. Nitrogen metabolites (other than ammonium) appear to be responsible for the mediation of "ammonium repression."     

Genetic and biochemical studies of nitrate reduction in Aspergillus nidulans

1. In Aspergillus nidulans nitrate and nitrite induce nitrate reductase, nitrite reductase and hydroxylamine reductase, and ammonium represses the three enzymes. 2. Nitrate reductase can donate electrons to a wide variety of acceptors in addition to nitrate. These artificial acceptors include benzyl viologen, 2-(p-iodophenyl)-3-(p-nitrophenyl)-5-phenyltetrazolium chloride, cytochrome c and potassium ferricyanide. Similarly nitrite reductase and hydroxylamine reductase (which are possibly a single enzyme in A. nidulans) can donate electrons to these same artificial acceptors in addition to the substrates nitrite and hydroxylamine. 3. Nitrate reductase can accept electrons from reduced benzyl viologen in place of the natural donor NADPH. The NADPH-nitrate-reductase activity is about twice that of reduced benzyl viologen-nitrate reductase under comparable conditions. 4. Mutants at six gene loci are known that cannot utilize nitrate and lack nitrate-reductase activity. Most mutants in these loci are constitutive for nitrite reductase, hydroxylamine reductase and all the nitrate-induced NADPH-diaphorase activities. It is argued that mutants that lack nitrate-reductase activity are constitutive for the enzymes of the nitrate-reduction pathway because the functional nitrate-reductase molecule is a component of the regulatory system of the pathway. 5. Mutants are known at two gene loci, niiA and niiB, that cannot utilize nitrite and lack nitrite-reductase and hydroxylamine-reductase activities. 6. Mutants at the niiA locus possess inducible nitrate reductase and lack nitrite-reductase and hydroxylamine-reductase activities. It is suggested that a single enzyme protein is responsible for the reduction of nitrite to ammonium in A. nidulans and that the niiA locus is the structural gene for this enzyme. 7. Mutants at the niiB locus lack nitrate-reductase, nitrite-reductase and hydroxylamine-reductase activities. It is argued that the niiB gene is a regulator gene whose product is necessary for the induction of the nitrate-utilization pathway. The niiB mutants either lack or produce an incorrect product and consequently cannot be induced. 8. Mutants at the niiribo locus cannot utilize nitrate or nitrite unless provided with a flavine supplement. When grown in the absence of a flavine supplement the activities of some of the nitrate-induced enzymes are subnormal. 9. The growth and enzyme characteristics of a total of 123 mutants involving nine different genes indicate that nitrate is reduced to ammonium. Only two possible structural genes for enzymes concerned with nitrate utilization are known. This suggests that only two enzymes, one for the reduction of nitrate to nitrite, the other for the reduction of nitrite to ammonium, are involved in this pathway.     

Studies on nitrate reductase from Cyanidium caldarium

Summary A nitrate reductase from the thermophilic acidophilic alga, Cyanidium caldarium, was studied. The enzyme utilises the reduced forms of benzyl viologen and flavins as well as both NADPH₂ and NADH₂ as electron donors to reduce nitrate.Heat treatment has an activating effect on the benzyl viologen (FMNH₂, FADH₂) nitrate reductase. At 50°C the activation of the enzyme is complete in about 20 min of exposure, whereas at higher temperatures (until 75°C) it is virtually an instantaneous phenomenon. The observed increase in activity is very low in extracts from potassium nitrate grown cells, whereas it is 5 or more fold in extracts from ammonium sulphate supplied cells. The benzyl viologen nitrate reductase is stable at 60°C and is destroyed at 75°C after 3 min; the NADPH₂ nitrate reductase is destroyed at 60°C. The pH optimum for both activities was found in the range 7.8–8.2.Ammonium nitrate grown cells possess a very low level of nitrate reductase: when they are transferred to a nitrate medium a rapid synthesis of enzyme occurs. By contrast, when cells with fully induced activity are supplied with ammonia, a rapid loss of NADPH₂ and benzyl viologen nitrate reductase occurs; however, activity measured with heated extracts shows that the true level of benzyl viologen nitrate reductase is as high as before ammonium addition. It is suggested that the presence of ammonia causes a rapid inactivation but no degradation of the enzyme.Cycloheximide inhibits the formation of the enzyme; the drug is without effect on the loss of nitrate reductase activity induced by ammonium. The nitrate reductase is reactivated in vivo by the removal of the ammonium, in the absence as well as in the presence of cycloheximide.     

Purification and characterization of homogeneous assimilatory reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-nitrate reductase from Neurospora crassa.

Neurospora crassa wild type STA4 NADPH-nitrate reductase (NADPH : nitrate oxidoreductase, EC 1.6.6.3) has been purified 5000-fold with an overall yield of 25--50%. The final purified enzyme contained 4 associated enzymatic activities: NADPH-nitrate reductase, FADH2-nitrate reductase, reduced methyl viologen-nitrate reductase and NADPH-cytochrome c reductase. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis yielded 1 major and 1 minor protein band and both bands exhibited NADPH-nitrate and reduced methyl viologen-nitrate reductase activities. SDS gel electrophoresis yielded 2 protein bands corresponding to molecular weights of 115 000 and 130 000. A single N-terminal amino acid (glutamic acid) was found and proteolytic mapping for the two separated subunits appeared similar. Purified NADPH-nitrate reductase contained 1 mol of molybdenum and 2 mol of cytochrome b557 per mol protein. Non-heme iron, zinc and copper were not detectable. It is proposed that the Neurospora assimilatory NADPH-nitrate reductase consists of 2 similar cytochrome b557-containing 4.5-S subunits linked together by one molybdenum cofactor. A revised electron flow scheme is presented. p-Hydroxymercuribenzoate inhibition was reversed by sulfhydryl reagents. Inhibitory pattern of p-hydroxymercuribenzoate and phenylglyoxal revealed accessible sulfhydryl and arginyl residue(s) as functional group(s) in the earlier part of electron transport chain as possibly the binding site of NADPH or FAD.     

Reactions of the Neurospora crassa nitrate reductase with NAD(P) analogs.

The assimilatory NADPH-nitrate reductase (NADPH:nitrate oxidoreductase, EC 1.6.6.3) from Neurospora crassa is competitively inhibited by 3-aminopyridine adenine dinucleotide (AAD) and 3-aminopyridine adenine dinucleotide phosphate (AADP) which are structural analogs of NAD and NADP, respectively. The amino group of the pyridine ring of AAD(P) can react with nitrous acid to yield the diazonium derivative which may covalently bind at the NAD(P) site. As a result of covalent attachment, diazotized AAD(P) causes time-dependent irreversible inactivation of nitrate reductase. However, only the NADPH-dependent activities of the nitrate reductase, i.e. the overall NADPH-nitrate reductase and the NADPH-cytochrome c reductase activities, are inactivated. The reduced methyl viologen- and reduced FAD-nitrate reductase activities which do not utilize NADPH are not inhibited. This inactivation by diazotized AADP is prevented by 1 mM NADP. The inclusion of 1 muM FAD can also prevent inactivation, but the FAD effect differs from the NADP protection in that even after removal of the exogenous FAD by extensive dialysis or Sephadex G-25 filtration chromatography, the enzyme is still protected against inactivation. The FAD-generated protected form of nitrate reductase could again be inactivated if the enzyme was treated with NADPH, dialyzed to remove the NADPH, and then exposed to diazotized AADP. When NADP was substituted for NADPH in this experiment, the enzyme remained in the FAD-protected state. Difference spectra of the inactivated nitrate reductase demonstrated the presence of bound AADP, and titration of the sulfhydryl groups of the inactivated enzyme revealed that a loss of accessible sulfhydryls had occurred. The hypothesis generated by these experiments is that diazotized AADP binds at the NADPH site on nitrate reductase and reacts with a functional sulfhydryl at the site. FAD protects the enzyme against inactivation by modifying the sulfhydryl. Since NADPH reverses this protection, it appears the modifications occurring are oxidation-reduction reactions. On the basis of these results, the physiological electron flow in the nitrate reductase is postulated to be from NADPH via sulfhydryls to FAD and then the remainder of the electron carriers as follows: NADPH leads to -SH leads to FAD leads to cytochrome b-557 leads to Mo leads to NO-3.     

Nitrate Reductase Regulates Expression of Nitrite Uptake and Nitrite Reductase Activities in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

In Chlamydomonas reinhardtii mutants defective at the structural locus for nitrate reductase (nit-1) or at loci for biosynthesis of the molybdopterin cofactor (nit-3, nit-4, or nit-5 and nit-6), both nitrite uptake and nitrite reductase activities were repressed in ammonium-grown cells and expressed at high amounts in nitrogen-free media or in media containing nitrate or nitrite. In contrast, wild-type cells required nitrate induction for expression of high levels of both activities. In mutants defective at the regulatory locus for nitrate reductase (nit-2), very low levels of nitrite uptake and nitrite reductase activities were expressed even in the presence of nitrate or nitrite. Both restoration of nitrate reductase activity in mutants defective at nit-1, nit-3, and nit-4 by isolating diploid strains among them and transformation of a structural mutant upon integration of the wild-type nit-1 gene gave rise to the wild-type expression pattern for nitrite uptake and nitrite reductase activities. Conversely, inactivation of nitrate reductase by tungstate treatment in nitrate, nitrite, or nitrogen-free media made wild-type cells respond like nitrate reductase-deficient mutants with respect to the expression of nitrite uptake and nitrite reductase activities. Our results indicate that nit-2 is a regulatory locus for both the nitrite uptake system and nitrite reductase, and that the nitrate reductase enzyme plays an important role in the regulation of the expression of both enzyme activities.     

The roles of nitrate and ammonium in the regulation of the development of nitrate reductase in Chlamydomonas reinhardii

The regulation of the development of nitrate reductase (NR) activity in Chlamydomonas reinhardii has been compared in a wild-type strain and in a mutant (nit-A) which possesses a modified nitrate reductase enzyme that is non-functional in vivo. The modified enzyme cannot use NAD(P)H as an electron donor for nitrate reduction and it differs from wild-type enzyme in that NR activity is not inactivated in vitro by incubation with NAD(P)H and small quantities of cyanide; it is inactivated when reduced benzyl viologen or flavin mononucleotide is present. After short periods of nitrogen starvation mutant organisms contain much higher levels of terminal-NR activity than do similarly treated wild-type ones. Despite the inability of the mutant to utilize nitrate, no nitrate or nitrite was found in nitrogen-starved cultures; it is therefore concluded that the appearance of NR activity is not a consequence of nitrification. After prolonged nitrogen starvation (22 h) the NR level in the mutant is low. It increases rapidly if nitrate is then added and this increase in activity does not occur in the presence of ammonium, tungstate or cycloheximide. Disappearance of preformed NR activity is stimulated by addition of tungstate and even more by addition of ammonium. The results are interpreted as evidence for a continuous turnover of NR in cells of the mutant with ammonium both stimulating NR breakdown and stopping NR synthesis. Nitrate protects the enzyme from breakdown. Reversible inactivation of NR activity is thought to play an insignificant rôle in the mutant.Abbreviations NR nitrate reductase - BV benzyl viologen     

Effects of a nitrate reductase inactivating enzyme and NAD(P)H on the nitrate reductase from higher plants and Neurospora.

Evidence is presented which suggests that the NAD(P)H-cytochrome c reductase component of nitrate reductase is the main site of action of the inactivating enzyme. When tested on the nitrate reductase (NADH) from the maize root and scutella, the NADH-cytochrome c reductase was inactivated at a greater rate than was the FADH2-nitrate reductase component. With the Neurospora nitrate reductase (NADPH) only the NADPH-cytochrome c reductase was inactivated. p-Chloromercuribenzoate at 50 muM, which gave almost complete inhibition of the NADH-cytochrome c reductase fraction of the maize nitrate reductase, had no marked effect on the action of the inactivating enzyme. A reversible inactivation of the maize nitrate reductase has been shown to occur during incubation with NAD(P)H. In contrast to the action of the inactivating enzyme, it is the FADH2-nitrate reductase alone which is inactivated. No inactivation of the Neurospora nitrate reductase was produced by NAD(P)H alone and also in the presence of FAD. The lack of effect of the inactivating enzyme and NAD(P)H on the FADH2-nitrate reductase of Neurospora suggests some differences in its structure or conformation from that of the maize enzyme. A low level of cyanide (0.4 mu M) markedly enhanced the action of NAD(P)H on the maize enzyme; Cyanide at a higher level (6 mu M) did give inactivation of the Neurospora nitrate reductase in the presence of NADPH and FAD. The maize nitrate reductase, when partially inactivated by NADH and cyanide, was not altered as a substrate for the inactivating enzyme. The maize root inactivating enzyme was also shown to inactivate the nitrate reductase (NADH) in the pea leaf. It had no effect on the nitrate reductase from either Pseudomonas denitrificans or Nitrobacter agilis.     

Arginine and lysine residues as NADH-binding sites in NADH-nitrate reductase from spinach.

Chemical modifications of spinach leaf nitrate reductase, and its 28,000 M(r) fragment with phenylglyoxal, 2,3-butanedione and pyridoxal phosphate reduce the catalytic activity of the enzyme. The kinetics of the modification indicate a rapid inactivation followed by a slower rate of inactivation. NADH-nitrate reductase, NADH-cytochrome c reductase and NADH-ferricyanide reductase activities of the nitrate reductase complex are inactivated at a faster rate when compared to the loss of FMNH2-nitrate reductase and reduced methyl viologen (MVH)-nitrate reductase activities. NADH protects the inactivation of NADH-ferricyanide reductase activity of the 28,000 M(r) fragment of nitrate reductase. These data suggest that nitrate reductase contains active sites of arginine and lysine residues that are involved in the NADH binding site of the enzyme.     

Characterization of molybdenum cofactor from Escherichia coli.

Molybdenum cofactor activity was found in the soluble fraction of cell-free extracts of Escherichia coli grown aerobically in media supplemented with molybdate. Cofactor was detected by its ability to complement the nitrate reductase-deficient mutant of Neurospora crossa, nit-1, resulting in the vitro formation of nitrate reductase activity. Acid treatment of E. coli extracts was not required for release of cofactor activity. Cofactor was able to diffuse through a membrane of nominal 2,000-molecular-weight cutoff and was insensitive to trypsin. The cofactor was associated with a carrier molecule (approximately 40,000 daltons) during gel filtration and sucrose gradient centrifugation, but was easily removed from the carrier by dialysis. The carrier molecule protected the cofactor from inactivation by heat or oxygen. E. coli grown in molybdenum-free media, without and with tungsten, synthesized a metal-free "empty" cofactor and its tungsten analog, respectively, both of which were subsequently activated by the addition of molybdate. Empty and tungsten-containing cofactor complemented the nitrate reductase subunits in the nit-1 extract, forming inactive, but intact, 7.9S nitrate reductase. Addition of molybdate to the enzyme complemented in this manner restored nitrate reductase activity.     

Demonstration in vitro of two intracellular inactivators of nitrate reductase from Neurospora.

Two different inactivators of nitrate reductase have been found in cell free preparations of Neurospora. The first (Inactivator I) is very active at pH 9, is inhibited by disodium ethylene diamine tetraacetate (EDTA) and is present in all mycelia incubated under all conditions tested; the second (Inactivator II) is very active at pH 5, is repressed by ammonia or by a metabolic product of ammonia and derepressed by nitrogen starvation, cannot be derepressed by nitrogen starvation in strain nit-2, in which a number of "ammonia-represible" enzymes are permanently repressed, and is sensitive to phenyl methyl sulfonyl fluoride. Crude extracts of mycelia contain inhibitor(s) of both inactivators.     

Variation in the nitrate reductase of rice seedlings

Summary Nitrate reductase was induced in rice seedlings by nitrate and by chloramphenicol. During the induction period the different enzyme activities associated with nitrate reductase increased to different degrees. Nitrate induced high NADH-nitrate reductase activity and a great increase in the NADH-cytochrome c reductase activity which was associated with the nitrate reductase in a sucrose gradient. Chloramphenicol induced a nitrate reductase which had higher activity with NADPH than NADH. Chloramphenicol also induced a marked increase in NADPH-cytochrome c reductase activity as well as in NADH-cytochrome c reductase activity. Both activities were associated with the nitrate reductase in a sucrose gradient.After partial purification by sucrose gradient sedimentation or by starch gel electrophoresis, the nitrate reductase of rice induced by nitrate and chloramphenicol showed the same preference in pyridine nucleotide cofactors as was shown by the crude enzyme extracts.     

Nitrate transport system in Neurospora crassa

Nitrate uptake in Neurospora crassa has been investigated under various conditions of nitrogen nutrition by measuring the rate of disappearance of nitrate from the medium and by determining mycelial nitrate accumulation. The nitrate transport system is induced by either nitrate or nitrite, but is not present in mycelia grown on ammonia or Casamino Acids. The appearance of nitrate uptake activity is prevented by cycloheximide, puromycin, or 6-methyl purine. The induced nitrate transport system displays a K_m for nitrate of 0.25 mM. Nitrate uptake is inhibited by metabolic poisons such as 2,4-dinitrophenol, cyanide, and antimycin A. Furthermore, mycelia can concentrate nitrate 50-fold. Ammonia and nitrite are non-competitive inhibitors with respect to nitrate, with K_i values of 0.13 and 0.17 mM, respectively. Ammonia does not repress the formation of the nitrate transport system. In contrast, the nitrate uptake system is repressed by Casamino Acids. All amino acids individually prevent nitrate accumulation, with the exception of methionine, glutamine, and alanine. The influence of nitrate reduction and the nitrate reductase protein on nitrate transport was investigated in wild-type Neurospora lacking a functional nitrate reductase and in nitrate non-utilizing mutants, nit-1, nit-2, and nit-3. These mycelia contain an inducible nitrate transport system which displays the same characteristics as those found in the wild-type mycelia having the functional nitrate reductase. These findings suggest that nitrate transport is not dependent upon nitrate reduction and that these two processes are separate events in the assimilation of nitrate.     

Inactivation of rat testicular NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase by 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonate

Rat testicular NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase was inactivated by treatment with 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonate (TNBS) or with 2',3'-dialdehyde derivatives of 5'-ATP and NADP+. The inactivation rates were dependent on reaction time and followed pseudo-first order kinetics. The rate of inactivation of cytochrome c reducing activity by TNBS was faster than that of reducing activities for K3Fe(CN)6 and for dichlorophenol indophenol (DCPIP). Cytochrome c and DCPIP prevented NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase from inactivation by TNBS, but NADP(H) protected to a lesser extent. Stoichiometry indicated that two residues of amino acid modified with TNBS were essential for the enzyme activity. The 2',3'-dialdehyde derivatives of 5'-ATP and NADP+ were specific ligands for the modification of lysine residues, whereas TNBS would possibly modify residues of lysine and/or cysteine. By differential and sequential modification by 5,5'-dithio-bis(2-nitrobenzoic acid), TNBS and dithiothreitol, the residues of lysine and cysteine were identified in the active site of NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase. These results suggest that lysyl and cysteinyl residues are located at or near the active region of NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase from the rat testicular microsomal fraction.