Genetics and Regulation of Nitrogen Fixation in Free-Living Bacteria

by Klipp, Werner; Masepohl, Bernd; Gallon, J. R.; Newton, William E.

• ISBN13: 9781402021787
• ISBN10: 140202178X
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2004-08-01
• Publisher: Kluwer Academic Pub

Summary

This book provides a comprehensive and detailed source of information on the genetic and regulatory aspects of biological nitrogen fixation in free-living (non-symbiotic) prokaryotes. Biological nitrogen fixation is represented in a diverse range of microorganisms, among which Klebsiella pneumoniae serves as a paradigm for the genetic analysis of diazotrophy, which is the ability to grow with N 2 as sole nitrogen source. The volume uses two major complementary approaches to the subject matter. The initial chapters use an organismic-based approach by concentrating on the well-characterized diazotrophic proteobacteria, cyanobacteria, Gram-positive clostridia, and Archea. The later chapters use a comparative process-based approach and serve as overviews dealing with different regulatory aspects, electron transport to nitrogenase, and molybdenum metabolism, across the range of organisms. Whenever appropriate, historical aspects and agricultural and ecological impacts have been taken into consideration. Each chapter contains an extensive list of references. This book is the self-contained second volume of a comprehensive seven-volume series. No other available work provides the up-to-date and in-depth coverage of this series and this volume. This book is intended to serve as an indispensable reference work for all scientists working in this and closely related fields, to assist students to enter this challenging area of research, and to provide science administrators easy access to vital relevant information.

Table of Contents

Series Preface

Preface

List of Contributors

Dedication

Historical Perspective - Development of nif Genetics and Regulation in Klebsiella pneumoniae

Introduction

The Early Years

Defining the K. pneumoniae nif Genes

The Recombinant DNA Era

nif Gene Regulation

Coda References

Genetics of Nitrogen Fixation and Related Aspects of Metabolism in Species of Azotobacter: History and Current Status

Research on the Genus Azotobacter (1901-2003)

Application of the Tools of Genetics and Molecular Biology in Species of Azotobacter

The nif Genes encoding the Enzymes for Structure, Function, and Biosynthesis of Mo-containing Nitrogenase

Regulation of Expression of nif and Associated Genes by Ammonium and O2

Ancillary Properties of Azotobacter Species that Aid the Efficiency of Nitrogen Fixation

Discovery of Molybdenum-independent Nitrogenase Systems in A. vinelandii

Molybdenum-independent Nitrogenase systems in other Azotobacter Species Acknowledgements References

Nitrogen Fixation in the Clostridia

Introduction

The Nitrogen-fixing Clostridia

Distinctive Features of the nif Genes of the Clostridia

Genes of Ammonia Assimilation

Regulation of Nitrogen Fixation and Ammonia Assimilation

Concluding Remarks References

Regulation of Nitrogen Fixation in Methanogenic Archaea

Introduction

History and Background

Transcriptional Regulation

Regulation of Nitrogenase Activity

Summary References

Nitrogen Fixation in Heterocyst-Forming Cyanobacteria

Introduction

Structure of Heterocysts

Nitrogenase Genes

Heterocyst Metabolism

Genes Important for Heterocyst Formation

heterocyst Pattern Formation

Regulation Acknowledgements References

N2 Fixation by Non-Heterocystous Cyanobacteria

Introduction

Non-heterocystous Cyanobacteria

Patterns of N2 Fixation Acknowledgements References

Nitrogen Fixation in the Photosynthetic Purple Bacterium Rhodobacter capsulatus

Introduction

Organization of Nitrogen-fixing Genes

The Nitrogen-fixation Regulon of R. capsulatus

Ammonium Control of Synthesis and Activity of both Nitrogenases

Environmental Factors Controlling Nitrogen Fixation

Linkage of Nitrogen Fixation, Photosynthesis, and Carbon Dioxide Assimilation

Nitrogen Fixation in other Photosynthetic Purple Bacteria References

Post-translational Regulation of Nitorgenase in Photosynthetic Bacteria

Introduction

Discovery of Nitrogen Fixation by Photosynthetic Bacteria

In vitro Studies of Nitrogenase in Photosynthetic Bacteria

The Protein Era

Evidence for the Drat/Drag System in other Organisms

Other ADP-Ribosylations

Genetics of the Drag/Drat System

Signal Transduction to Drat and Drat

Conclustions Acknowledgement References

Regulation of Nitrogen Fixation in Free-Living Diazotrophs

Introduction

General Nitrogen Control Systems

nif-specific Nitrogen Control

Nitrogen Control of Nitrogenase Activity

Conclusions References

Molybdenum Uptake and Homeostatis

Molybdenum Outside Cells

Transport

Cytoplasmic Molybdate-binding Proteins

The ATP-binding Protein of the Molybdate Transporter

The Regulatory Protein, ModE

Conclustions Acknowledgements References

Electron Transport to Nitrogenase: Diverse Routes for a Common Destination

Introduction

Direct Electron Donors to the Fe Protein of Nitrogenase

Reduction of Electron-donor Proteins for the Fe Protein

Conclusions Acknowledgements References

Prospects

Subject Index

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