Change in the ratio of cytochrome oxidase activity to nitrite reductase activity of Pseudomonas aeruginosa nitrite reductase with the kind of C-type cytochrome used as an electron donor

Abstract

The ratio between the nitrite reductase and cytochrome oxidase activities of Pseudomonas aeruginosa nitrite reductase [EC 1.9.3.2.] varies with kind of C-type cytochrome used as the electron donor. Withe cytochrome c-548, 554 (Micrococcus sp.), the nitrite reductase activity is greater than the cytochrome oxidase activity, while the former is smaller than the latter with cytochrome c-554 (Navicula pelliculosa). The aerobic oxidation catalyzed by this enzyme of denitrifying bacterial ferrocytochrome c is greatly accelerated on addition of nitrite, while that of the algal ferrocytochrome c is not affected or is even depressed by the salt. An accelerative effect of nitrite is generally observed with many kinds of C-type cytochromes which react with the enzyme very or fairly rapidly. The difference in the ratio of the two activities of the enzyme seems to arise according to whether or not nitrite affects the interaction of C-type cytochrome with the enzyme.