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Isotope Ratio Mass-Spectrometry Studies of HD Formation by Nitrogenase

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Gas Enzymology

Abstract

We have investigated the effect of the partial pressure of N2 and D2 on HD formation, H2 evolution and NH3 production by nitrogenase from Klebsiella pneumoniae and Clostridium pasteurianum. The distribution of electrons between the various substrates was tested both with homologous and heterologous component-proteins. By using pressures of up to four atmospheres we have been able to extend the concentration range of N2 and D2 in our investigations beyond that used in previous studies. We conclude that the formation of HD from D2 is a general property of nitrogenases, that N2-independent HD formation is minimal if it exists at all and that D2 enhances H2 evolution from nitrogenases. The question whether H2 evolution is an obligatory part of N2 reduction is discussed as are different suggested mechanisms for nitrogen fixation.

In conclusion our result support the mechanism for nitrogenase catalyzed reductions proposed by W. W. Cleland (Guth, J. and Burris R. H. (1983) Biochemistry 22, 5111–5122).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Biochemistry, Odense University, Campusvej 55, 5230, Odense M, Denmark

    Bent Borg Jensen

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  1. Bent Borg Jensen
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Institutes of Biochemistry and Chemistry, Odense University, Odense, Denmark

    H. Degn , R. P. Cox  & H. Toftlund ,  & 

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© 1985 D. Reidel Publishing Company

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Jensen, B.B. (1985). Isotope Ratio Mass-Spectrometry Studies of HD Formation by Nitrogenase. In: Degn, H., Cox, R.P., Toftlund, H. (eds) Gas Enzymology. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-5279-9_15

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-5279-9_15

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-010-8831-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-009-5279-9

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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