Conserved amino acid sequence features in the alpha subunits of MoFe, VFe, and FeFe nitrogenases.

ABSTRACT:

Background

This study examines the structural features and phylogeny of the alpha subunits of 69 full-length NifD (MoFe subunit), VnfD (VFe subunit), and AnfD (FeFe subunit) sequences.

Methodology/principal findings

The analyses of this set of sequences included BLAST scores, multiple sequence alignment, examination of patterns of covariant residues, phylogenetic analysis and comparison of the sequences flanking the conserved Cys and His residues that attach the FeMo cofactor to NifD and that are also conserved in the alternative nitrogenases. The results show that NifD nitrogenases fall into two distinct groups. Group I includes NifD sequences from many genera within Bacteria, including all nitrogen-fixing aerobes examined, as well as strict anaerobes and some facultative a

SUBMITTER: Glazer AN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2700964 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature