J. Biol. Chem., Vol. 261, Issue 23, 10538-10543, 08, 1986
Catalysis of intermolecular oxygen atom transfer by nitrite dehydrogenase of Nitrobacter agilis
SH Friedman, W Massefski Jr and TC Hollocher
Nitrobacter agilis, which contains a very active nitrite dehydrogenase, was
studied in vivo under anaerobic conditions by the 15N NMR technique. When
incubated with equimolar 15NO3- and unlabeled nitrite (or 15NO2- and
unlabeled nitrate) the bacterium catalyzed an isotope exchange reaction at
rates about 10% those observed in the nitrite oxidase assay. When incubated
with 18O-labeled 15NO2- and 18O-labeled 15NO3-, the 18O was observed to
exchange at similar rates from both species into water. Finally, when
incubated with equimolar [18O]nitrate and 15NO2-, intermolecular 18O
transfer was observed to result in formation of double labeled nitrate and
nitrite at similar rates. 18O was transferred from nitrate to a 15N species
or to water at approximately equal rates under the conditions of the
experiments. It is argued that the enzyme responsible for these exchange
reactions is nitrite dehydrogenase and not nitrate reductase. This work and
the related experiments of DiSpirito and Hooper (DiSpirito, A.A., and
Hooper, A.B. (1986) J. Biol. Chem. 261, 10534-10537) represent the first
demonstrations of intermolecular oxygen atom transfer among
oxotransferases. Mechanistic implications are discussed.