Membrane and cytoplasmic nitrate reductase of Staphylococcus aureus and application of crossed immunoelectrophoresis.

Specific antiserum to the membrane nitrate reductase of Staphylococcus aureus was derived from immunoprecipitates on crossed immunoelectrophoresis plates. Analysis of the cytoplasmic and membrane forms of the enzyme in cells grown with nitrate and azide indicated their identity, and in each case, the major subunit, Mr 140,000, was converted by trypsin to a polypeptide, Mr 112,000, without loss of enzyme activity or immunological reactivity.