Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT: Importance
Dissimilatory nitrate/nitrite reduction to ammonium (DNRA) is a microbial energy-conserving process that reduces NO3 - and/or NO2 - to NH4 +. Interestingly, DNRA-catalyzing microorganisms possessing nrfA genes are occasionally found harboring nosZ genes encoding nitrous oxide reductases, i.e., the only group of enzymes capable of removing the potent greenhouse gas N2O. Here, through a series of physiological experiments examining DNRA metabolism in one of such microorganisms, Bacillus sp. DNRA2, we have discovered that N2O may delay the transition to DNRA upon an oxic-to-anoxic transition, unless timely removed by the nitrous oxide reductases. These observations suggest a novel explanation as to why some nrfA-possessing microorganisms have retained nosZ genes: to remove N2O that may otherwise interfere with the transition from O2 respiration to DNRA.
SUBMITTER: Yoon S
PROVIDER: S-EPMC10653820 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Oct
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Yoon Sojung S Heo Hokwan H Han Heejoo H Song Dong-Uk D-U Bakken Lars R LR Frostegård Åsa Å Yoon Sukhwan S
mBio 20230922 5
<h4>Importance</h4>Dissimilatory nitrate/nitrite reduction to ammonium (DNRA) is a microbial energy-conserving process that reduces NO<sub>3</sub> <sup>-</sup> and/or NO<sub>2</sub> <sup>-</sup> to NH<sub>4</sub> <sup>+</sup>. Interestingly, DNRA-catalyzing microorganisms possessing <i>nrfA</i> genes are occasionally found harboring <i>nosZ</i> genes encoding nitrous oxide reductases, i.e., the only group of enzymes capable of removing the potent greenhouse gas N<sub>2</sub>O. Here, through a se ...[more]