Measurements of ATP levels of intact Azotobacter vinelandii under different conditions

Electron Transfer in Nitrogenase

Nitrogenase is the only enzyme capable of reducing N2 to NH3. This challenging reaction requires the coordinated transfer of multiple electrons from the reductase, Fe-protein, to the catalytic component, MoFe-protein, in an ATP-dependent fashion. In the last two decades, there have been significant advances in our understanding of how nitrogenase orchestrates electron transfer (ET) from the Fe-protein to the catalytic site of MoFe-protein and how energy from ATP hydrolysis transduces the ET processes. In this review, we summarize these advances, with focus on the structural and thermodynamic redox properties of nitrogenase component proteins and their complexes, as well as on new insights regarding the mechanism of ET reactions during catalysis and how they are coupled to ATP hydrolysis. We also discuss recently developed chemical, photochemical, and electrochemical methods for uncoupling substrate reduction from ATP hydrolysis, which may provide new avenues for studying the catalytic mechanism of nitrogenase.

Measuring Bacterial Growth Potential of Ultra-Low Nutrient Drinking Water Produced by Reverse Osmosis: Effect of Sample Pre-treatment and Bacterial Inoculum

Measuring bacterial growth potential (BGP) involves sample pre-treatment and inoculation, both of which may introduce contaminants in ultra-low nutrient water (e.g., remineralized RO permeate). Pasteurization pre-treatment may lead to denaturing of nutrients, and membrane filtration may leach/remove nutrients into/from water samples. Inoculating remineralized RO permeate samples with natural bacteria from conventional drinking water leads to undesired nutrient addition, which could be avoided by using the remineralized RO permeate itself as inoculum. Therefore, this study examined the effect of pasteurization and membrane filtration on the BGP of remineralized RO permeate. In addition, the possibility of using bacteria from remineralized RO permeate as inoculum was investigated by evaluating their ability to utilize organic carbon that is readily available (acetate, glucose) or complex (laminarin, gelatin, and natural dissolved organic carbon), as compared with bacteria from conventional drinking water. The results showed that membrane filtration pre-treatment increased (140-320%) the BGP of remineralized RO permeate despite the extensive soaking and flushing of filters (>350 h), whereas no effect was observed on the BGP of conventional drinking water owing to its high nutrient content. Pasteurization pre-treatment had insignificant effects on the BGP of both water types. Remineralized RO permeate bacteria showed limitations in utilizing complex organic carbon compared with bacteria from conventional drinking water. In conclusion, the BGP bioassay for ultra-low nutrient water (e.g., remineralized RO permeate) should consider pasteurization pre-treatment. However, an inoculum comprising bacteria from remineralized RO permeate is not recommended as the bacterial consortium was shown to be limited in terms of the compounds they could utilize for growth.

Evidence for Functionally Relevant Encounter Complexes in Nitrogenase Catalysis

Nitrogenase is the only enzyme that can convert atmospheric dinitrogen (N2) into biologically usable ammonia (NH3). To achieve this multielectron redox process, the nitrogenase component proteins, MoFe-protein (MoFeP) and Fe-protein (FeP), repeatedly associate and dissociate in an ATP-dependent manner, where one electron is transferred from FeP to MoFeP per association. Here, we provide experimental evidence that encounter complexes between FeP and MoFeP play a functional role in nitrogenase catalysis. The encounter complexes are stabilized by electrostatic interactions involving a positively charged patch on the β-subunit of MoFeP. Three single mutations (βAsn399Glu, βLys400Glu, and βArg401Glu) in this patch were generated in Azotobacter vinelandii MoFeP. All of the resulting variants displayed decreases in specific catalytic activity, with the βK400E mutation showing the largest effect. As simulated by the Thorneley-Lowe kinetic scheme, this single mutation lowered the rate constant for FeP-MoFeP association 5-fold. We also found that the βK400E mutation did not affect the coupling of ATP hydrolysis with electron transfer (ET) between FeP and MoFeP. These data suggest a mechanism where FeP initially forms encounter complexes on the MoFeP β-subunit surface en route to the ATP-activated, ET-competent complex over the αβ-interface.

Role of AMP deaminase reaction in the response of phosphofructokinase to the adenylate energy charge

The role of NH+4 ion and AMP deaminase reaction in the activation of phosphofructokinase with respect to its response to the adenylate energy charge was investigated using permeabilized yeast cells. (a) Phosphofructokinase and AMP deaminase were activated by the decrease in the adenylate energy charge. The addition of NH+4 further stimulated the phosphofructokinase activity in the presence of intracellular level of K+, and the optimal energy charge value giving the maximal response of the enzyme was shifted from 0.3 to the value above 0.5. (b) The increase in NH+4 ion produced through the activation of AMP deaminase by spermine which shows no direct action on the phosphofructokinase activity can activate phosphofructokinase with shift of the optimal energy charge value of the enzyme to 0.5 in the presence of K+, whereas the optimal energy charge value for AMP deaminase reaction was not affected by the addition of spermine. Phosphofructokinase can be activated most effectively by the physiological decrease in the energy charge under the condition of increased NH+4 in the presence of K+. The possibility that the interaction of phosphofructokinase with AMP deaminase under hypoxic condition might be a contributing factor to the Pasteur effect is discussed.

Effects of growth substrate and respiratory chain composition on bioenergetics in Acinetobacter sp. strain HO1-N

The relationship between respiratory chain composition and efficiency of coupling phosphorylation to electron transport was examined in Acinetobacter sp. strain HO1-N. Cells containing only cytochrome o as a terminal oxidase displayed the same stoichiometries of adenosine 5'-triphosphate synthesis and proton extrusion as cells which contained both cytochromes o and d as terminal oxidases. In addition, CO inhibition and photo-relief of cytochromes o or d did not alter the efficiency of energy coupling. These findings indicate that adenosine 5'-triphosphate synthesis is coupled to electron transport through both cytochromes o and d in Acinetobacter.

Fluorometric Determination of Adenosine Nucleotide Derivatives as Measures of the Microfouling, Detrital, and Sedimentary Microbial Biomass and Physiological Status

Adenosine, adenine, cyclic adenosine monophosphate (AMP), AMP, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, adenosine diphosphate, and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) were recovered quantitatively from aqueous portions of lipid extracts of microfouling, detrital, and sedimentary microbial communities. These could be detected quantitatively in the picomolar range by forming their 1-N 6 -etheno derivatives and analyzing by high-pressure liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. Lipid extraction and subsequent analysis allowed the simultaneous measurement of the microbial community structure, total microbial biomass with the quantitative recovery of the adenine-containing cellular components, which were protected from enzymatic destruction. This extraction and fluorescent derivatization method showed equivalency with the luciferin-luciferase method for bacterial ATP measurements. Quick-freezing samples in the field with dry ice-acetone preserved the ATP and energy charge (a ratio of adenosine nucleotides) for analysis at remote laboratories. The metabolic lability of ATP in estuarine detrital and microfouling communities, as well as bacterial monocultures of constant biomass, showed ATP to be a precarious measure of biomass under some conditions. Combinations of adenosine and adenine nucleotides gave better correlations with microbial biomass measured as extractable lipid phosphate in the detrital and microfouling microbial communities than did ATP alone. Stresses such as anoxia or filtration are reflected in the rapid accumulation of intracellular adenosine and the excretion of adenosine and AMP into the surrounding milieu. Increases in AMP and adenosine may prove to be more sensitive indicators of metabolic status than the energy charge.

Adenosine triphosphate pool levels and endogenous metabolism in Arthrobacter crystallopoietes during growth and starvation

The adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content of Arthrobacter crystallopoietes was measured during growth, starvation and recovery from starvation. During exponential growth of the cells as spheres in a glucose slats medium, the level of ATP per cell remained constant at 8.0 x 10(-10) micrograms/cell. Morphogenesis to rodshaped cells and an increased growth rate following addition of casein hydrolysate was accompanied by an almost two-fold increase in the ATP level. As division of the rod-shaped cells proceeded, the level of ATP declined. After growing as rods for 12-14 h the cells underwent fragmentation to spheres during which time the ATP level again increased to the original value of 8.0 x 10(-10) micrograms/cell. As the spherical cells resumed growth on the residual glucose, their ATP content declined for a short period and then remained relatively constant. During starvation of sphere or rod-shaped cells for one week, the ATP level declined by approximately 70% during the first 40-50 h and then remained constant. The endogenous metabolism rate of spherical cells declined during the first 10-20 h of starvation and then remained constant at approximately 0.02% of the cell carbon being utilized per h. Addition of glucose to spherical cells which had been starved for one week increased both the ATP content per cell and their rate of endogenous metabolism. The ATP content fluctuated and then remained at a level higher than maintained during starvation while endogenous metabolism quickly declined.

Effect of cultural conditions on the concentrations of metabolic intermediates during growth and sporulation of Bacillus licheniformis

Intracellular concentrations of adenine nucleotides and intermediates of the Embden-Meyerhof pathway and the tricarboxylic acid cycle have been determined during growth and sporulation of Bacillus licheniformis in a variety of different media. The ATP pool was independent of growth rate and nitrogen source, but the use of glucose as a carbon source resulted in a twofold elevation in the ATP pool during exponential growth. The intracellular phosphoenolpyruvate pool was at least twofold higher during gluconeogenesis than during glycolysis. The finding that the use of glutamate as the sole nitrogen source resulted in at least a fivefold elevation of the alpha-ketoglutarate pool suggests a role for alpha-ketoglutarate in the repression of the enzymes of the tricarboxylic acid cycle responsible for alpha-ketoglutarate synthesis. Not one of the metabolites assayed appears to function as a signal of the nutrient deprivation which accompanies the initiation of sporulation.

Growth of nitrobacter in the presence of organic matter. II. Chemoorganotrophic growth of Nitrobacter agilis

1. After a resting period of up to 6 months cells of Nitrobacter agilis grow with acetate, formate, and pyruvate as carbon and energy source. Yeast extract and peptone were added to supply the organism with nitrogen and to meet possible vitamin requirements. 2. The length of the growth period depends on the substrate; it increases according to the following sequence: pyruvate, formate, acetate. The highest growth yield is observed with pyruvate, the lowest with formate. 3. O2 consumption is increased in the presence of substrates as compared to endogenous respiration. With pyruvate and acetate twice as much O2 is consumed, with formate 7 times, with yeast extractpeptone 10 times as much. 4. The ability of nitrite oxidation is largely preserved, except in cells grown with acetate or pyruvate in the presence of 0.015% yeast extract and peptone. Such cells have nearly no cytochrome a1. Accordingly. the cytochrome spectra of nitrite oxidizers grown under chemoorganotrophic and lithoautotrophic conditions coincide qualitatively. 5. The nitrite oxidizing system is inducible. It is induced by nitrite but also by substances present in yeast extract and peptone. Cells grown on acetate and yeast extract and peptone (0.015%) require 3--4 weeks before they regain the ability to grow with nitrite. Cells grown chemoorganotrophically with the same substrates and yeast extract and peptone (0.15%) start growing and nitrite as energy source without a lag. 6. Cell size and form, distribution of storage materials, order and fine structure of double membranes are correlated with growth conditions.

Energy metabolism of Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus. II. P/O ratio and ATP pool turnover rate

The P/O ratio of Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus, strain Bd 109 Sa, was evaluated by two different methods based on the determination of energy-rich phosphate bonds and either NADH oxidation or oxygen-uptake. P/O values calculated on the basis of NADH oxidation were up to 6, which has to be regarded as being overestimated. P/O values calculated from energy-rich phosphate bonds and oxygen uptake were around 2. The P/O values determined for Escherichia coli B were similar. The loss of phosphorylation efficiency at one site is discussed. The ATP pool turnover rate of Bdellovibrio was 8/min during endogenous respiration and 24/min during substrate respiration. The corresponding values in Escherichia coli B were 3/min and 38/min.

Regulation of respiration and nitrogen fixation in different types of Azotobacter vinelandii

The levels of the adenine nucleotides, pyridine nucleotides and the kinetical parameters of the enzymes of the Entner-Doudoroff pathway (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase) were determined in Azotobacter vinelandii cells, grown under O2- or N2-limiting conditions. It was concluced that the levels of both the adenine nucleotides and pyridine nucleotides do not limit the rate of sucrose oxidation. Experiments with radioactive pyruvate and sucrose show that the rate of sucrose oxidation of Azotobacter cells is associated with an increase in the rate of sucrose uptake. The sites of oxidative phosphorylation and the composition of the respiratory membranes with respect to cytochromes c4 + c5, b and d differ in cells growth either O2- or N2-limited. It was possible to show that the respiration protection of the nitrogen-fixing system in Azotobacter is mainly independent of the oxidation capacity of the cells. The oxidation capacity intrinsically depends on the type of substrate and can be partly adapted. The maximum activity of the nitrogenase in Azotobacter depends on the type of substrate oxidized. Although the level of energy charge is somewhat dependent on the type of substrate used, no obvious relation can be derived between changes in energy charge and nitrogenase activity. An alternative proposal is given.

Energy metabolism of Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus. I. Energy production, ATP pool, energy charge

Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus, strain Bd. 109 Sa, generates ATP mainly by oxidative phosphorylation during electron transport. During exponential growth the ATP pool is constant (9 mmoles/100 mugN) indicating that energy-producing and energy-consuming reactions are well balanced. The ratio of substrate respiration/endogenous respiration is approx. 2.5/1. Energy charge is constant both in endogenous and substrate respiration at values of 0.62 to 0.64. During endogenous respiration (starvation) the ATP pool oscillates at regular intervals. ATP over-production is started after the ATP pool has decreased to a minimum level of 6 nmoles/100 mug N. The alternating over- and under-production of ATP is interpreted as a special regulation which enables the organism to make economic use of its own cellular materials. Addition of substrate (glutamate) to starving cells does not influence the type of ATP pool oscillation as observed in endogenous respiration. The parasitic strain Bd. 109 Pa exhibits the same periodicity of ATP overproduction as does it saprophytic derivative, Bd. 109 Sa. Decrease of viability during starvation is paralleled by a decrease of the ATP pool.

Adenine nucleotide pool variations in intact Nitrobacter winogradskyi cells

1. The ATP pool in Nitrobacter winogradskyi cells was determined by means of the luciferin-luciferase enzyme system and the ADP and AMP pools were measured after enzymatic conversion into ATP. 2. In the first 10 min after addition of nitrite to endogenously respiring cells, which had stood for 5--16 days after completion of the nitrite oxidation, the ATP pool dropped about 60%. 3. During the log phase the ATP pool was approx. 20--40 pmoles/5 mug cell-N. During growth it increased exponentially by 3--4 times the amount until the nitrite had been used up. Subsquently the ATP pool decreased at first rapidly and then more slowly without sinking to 0 in the first 2 months after nitrification. 4. Nitrite oxidizing cells had an energy charge of 0.37 during the log-phase. After approx. 90% of the substrate had been used up the energy charge had reached 0.57. 5. If the CO2 assimilation was inhibited in growing cultures by increased oxygen partial pressure, nitrite oxidation continued but the ATP pool increased. 6. The ATP pool and the activity of the endogenous respiration decreased by more than 50% during the first hours after the substrate had been used up.

Role of vitamin K2 in the organization and function of Staphylococcus aureua membranes

A mutant of Staphylococcus aureus auxotrophic for menadione (a vitamin K2 precursor) was used to study the effects of menadione deprivation on the structure and function of the cell membrane. The phospholipid composition and metabolism was essentially unaltered by menadione deprivation. Removal of this percursor caused cellular levels of the cytochromes, protoheme, vitamin K2, and several membrane-bound flavoprotein dehydrogenase activities to decrease as a function of growth dilution. The cytochromes were enzymatically reducible and maintained in the same proportions as menadione-supplemented cells. Oxidative phosphorylation, however, was reduced more than 10-fold and membrane vesicles obtained from menadione-deprived cells were unable to couple glycine transport to L-lactate oxidation. Succinic dehydrogenase and adenosine 5' triphosphate hydrolysis appeared unaffected by menadione deprivation. These data suggest that menadione deprivation in the mutant stops the synthesis of vitamin K2 and other electron transport chain components and prosthetic groups. Although individual electron transport chain members remained fully functional during menadione deprivation, the overall efficiency of the chain, measured in terms of its function in electron transport, oxidative phosphorylation, and electron transport chain-linked transport, dropped greatly. This suggests that the synthesis of vitamin K2 is modulated to the synthesis of other components of the electron transport system, and that their organization into a functional system requires a specific concentration of vitamin K2 with respect to total membrane lipid.

Protection of nitrogenase in Azotobacter vinelandii

The site or sites that protect nitrogenase from O(2) inactivation in vivo are sensitive to sodium azide or 2,4-dinitrophenol. Both components of nitrogenase can be synthesized when oxidative phosphorylation is disrupted.