Inhibition of aerobic respiration and dissimilatory perchlorate reduction using cyanide

The effect of low concentrations of cyanide on dissimilatory perchlorate and chlorate reduction and aerobic respiration was examined using pure cultures of Azospira sp. KJ. Cyanide at a concentration of 38 microM inhibited cell growth on perchlorate, chlorate and molecular oxygen, but it did not inhibit the activity of chlorite dismutase. When oxygen accumulation was prevented by adding an oxygen scavenger (Oxyrase or L-cysteine), however, cells completely reduced perchlorate in the presence of cyanide. It was concluded that the inhibition of dissimilative perchlorate reduction by cyanide at this concentration was a consequence of oxygen accumulation, not inhibition of the enzymes used for perchlorate reduction. This finding on the effect of cyanide on respiratory enzymes provides a new method to control and study respiratory enzymes used for perchlorate reduction.