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Biomedical subjects

D J Nicholas

Publications and source records attributed to D J Nicholas.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1969

Nitrite oxidase and nitrate reductase in Nitrobacter agilis.

Nitrite oxidase and nitrate reductase in Nitrobacter agilis were shown to be separate enzymes. The best separation of the two systems was achieved by ammonium sulphate fractionation. The effects of various compounds, including antimycin A, 2-n-heptyl-4-hydroxyquinoline N-oxide and chlorate, also clearly distinguish between the two enzyme reactions. The relationship between the two opposing reactions in Nitrobacter is discussed.

Antimycin A↗
PubMed1968

Properties of some reductase enzymes in the nitrifying bacteria and their relationship to the oxidase systems.

The reductase enzymes in Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter were studied under anaerobic conditions when the oxidase enzymes were inactive. The most effective electron-donor systems for nitrate reductase in Nitrobacter were reduced benzyl viologen alone, phenazine methosulphate with either NADH or NADPH, and FMN or FAD with NADH. Nitrite and hydroxylamine reductases were found in both nitrifying bacteria, and optimum activity for each enzyme was obtained with NADH or NADPH with either FMN or FAD. The product of both these enzymes was identified as ammonia. In extracts of Nitrosomonas the ammonia was further utilized by an NADPH-specific glutamate dehydrogenase. (15)N-labelled nitrite, hydroxylamine and ammonia were rapidly incorporated into cell protein by Nitrosomonas, and Nitrobacter in addition incorporated [(15)N]nitrate. Relatively gentle methods of cell disruption were compared with ultrasonic treatment, to enable a more exact study to be undertaken of the intracellular distribution of the oxidase and reductase enzymes. The functional relationship of these opposing enzyme systems in the nitrifying bacteria is considered.

Ammonia↗
PubMed1967

Some Effects of Sodium on Nitrate Assimilation and N(2) Fixation in Anabaena cylindrica.

Anabaena cylindrica grown with nitrate required higher levels of sodium (0.4 meq/l NaCl) to prevent chlorosis than when grown without combined nitrogen (0.004 meq/l NaCl). Nitrite accumulated in sodium-deficient cultures containing nitrate. Amounts of nitrite similar to those found in deficient cultures when added to normal cultures resulted in a chlorosis of the cells. Thus loss of chlorophyll was caused by nitrite toxicity.A deficiency of sodium resulted in an increased incorporation of (15)NO(3), (15)NO(2), (15)NH(3) or (14)C glutamate into protein compared with normal cells. The enzyme nitrate reductase was markedly increased in cells grown without sodium.Evidence from chloramphenicol treatment of the cells suggests that sodium may exert its control of nitrate reductase through a protein factor(s).By contrast, N(2) fixation was reduced in sodium deficient cells. Since the incorporation of ammonia or glutamate into protein was increased under these conditions, it is likely that the element is required for the conversion of N(2) gas into ammonia. Various nitrogenous compounds including ammonium chloride, amides and amino acids at low concentrations (0.1 mm) greatly reduced the nitrite accumulation in sodium-deficient cultures.

Journal Article↗