[Effect of nitrogen-containing compounds on hydrogen light emission and nitrogen fixation by purple bacteria]

The cells of Rhodospirillum rubrum and Thiocapsa roseopersicina grown in media containing glutamate and arginine, respectively, as well as under conditions of nitrogen fixation evolve H2 in the light. If the cultures were grown in media with NH4+, NO3-, urea, glutamine or asparagine, hydrogen photoevolution by the cells and acetylene reduction started after the lag-phase and proceeded at a low rate. Extracts of such cells did not display the activity of nitrogenase which could be assayed by the ATP-dependent evolution of H2 from dithionite. The data obtained confirm the fact that hydrogen photoevolution by purple bacteria involves nitrogenase whose synthesis is regulated (according to the action of glutamine) with the participation of glutamine synthetase. NH4+, glutamine and asparagine inhibit also hydrogen photoproduction by purple bacteria and acetylene photoreduction. However, they have no effect on hydrogen evolution in the dark by the cells of R. rubrum and T. roseopersicina in the presence of formiate or pyruvate, respectively, whereas carbon monoxide inhibits hydrogen production. Therefore, hydrogen production by purple bacteria in the dark must be catalyzed by hydrogenase.