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Related Concept Videos

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Metabolism of Chemolithotrophs

Chemolithotrophs are microorganisms that obtain energy by oxidizing inorganic molecules such as hydrogen gas (H₂), ammonia (NH₃), reduced sulfur compounds (H₂S, S²⁻), and ferrous iron (Fe²⁺). Unlike heterotrophic organisms that rely on organic carbon, chemolithotrophs transfer electrons from these inorganic donors to the electron transport chain (ETC), generating a proton motive force (PMF) that drives ATP synthesis through oxidative phosphorylation. However, because inorganic electron donors...
Inorganic Nitrogen Assimilation01:22

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Nitrogen is an essential element in biological systems, forming a crucial component of proteins, nucleic acids, and other cellular constituents. Many bacteria and archaea acquire nitrogen in the form of nitrate (NO₃⁻) or ammonia (NH₃), which are then assimilated into biomolecules through specific enzymatic pathways.Assimilatory Nitrate ReductionWhen nitrate enters the cell, it undergoes a two-step reduction process known as assimilatory nitrate reduction. Initially, the enzyme nitrate reductase...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 22, 2026

Measurement of the Potential Rates of Dissimilatory Nitrate Reduction to Ammonium Based on 14NH4+/15NH4+ Analyses via Sequential Conversion to N2O
08:05

Measurement of the Potential Rates of Dissimilatory Nitrate Reduction to Ammonium Based on 14NH4+/15NH4+ Analyses via Sequential Conversion to N2O

Published on: October 7, 2020

Nitrite reduction: a ubiquitous function from a pre-aerobic past.

Francesca Cutruzzolà1, Serena Rinaldo, Nicoletta Castiglione

  • 1Dipartimento di Scienze Biochimiche "A. Rossi Fanelli", Sapienza-Università di Roma, Rome, Italy. francesca.cutruzzola@uniroma1.it

Bioessays : News and Reviews in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology
|June 26, 2009
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Nitrite protects against tissue damage by reducing to nitric oxide (NO), a process involving hemeproteins. This ancient bacterial pathway highlights nitrite

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Preparation of Rat Skeletal Muscle Homogenates for Nitrate and Nitrite Measurements

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Last Updated: Jun 22, 2026

Measurement of the Potential Rates of Dissimilatory Nitrate Reduction to Ammonium Based on 14NH4+/15NH4+ Analyses via Sequential Conversion to N2O
08:05

Measurement of the Potential Rates of Dissimilatory Nitrate Reduction to Ammonium Based on 14NH4+/15NH4+ Analyses via Sequential Conversion to N2O

Published on: October 7, 2020

Medium Preparation for the Cultivation of Microorganisms under Strictly Anaerobic/Anoxic Conditions
06:17

Medium Preparation for the Cultivation of Microorganisms under Strictly Anaerobic/Anoxic Conditions

Published on: August 15, 2019

Preparation of Rat Skeletal Muscle Homogenates for Nitrate and Nitrite Measurements
07:19

Preparation of Rat Skeletal Muscle Homogenates for Nitrate and Nitrite Measurements

Published on: July 29, 2021

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cellular Physiology

Background:

  • Nitrite confers cytoprotection in eukaryotes against ischemia/reperfusion injury.
  • This protective effect is linked to nitric oxide (NO) production and mitochondrial function inhibition.
  • Deoxyhemoglobin and bacterial cd(1) nitrite reductases are key hemeproteins involved in nitrite reduction.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To summarize the catalytic mechanism of cd(1) nitrite reductases from Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
  • To hypothesize the biological role of the d(1)-heme in nitrite reduction.
  • To explore the evolutionary link between bacterial nitrite reduction and eukaryotic cytoprotection.

Main Methods:

  • Review and summarization of existing literature on cd(1) nitrite reductase mechanisms.
  • Analysis of the properties of the d(1)-heme in its reduced state.
  • Comparative analysis of nitrite metabolism in bacteria and eukaryotes.

Main Results:

  • Detailed catalytic mechanism of cd(1) nitrite reductases is presented.
  • The d(1)-heme exhibits high nitrite affinity and rapid NO dissociation in its reduced state.
  • Eukaryotic nitrite-mediated cytoprotection is proposed as a vestige of ancient bacterial pathways.

Conclusions:

  • Nitrite reductase activities, despite diverse cellular roles, underscore nitrite's importance in cellular homeostasis.
  • The study supports the hypothesis that eukaryotic nitrite-based reactions originated from bacterial pathways.
  • The unique properties of d(1)-heme are crucial for efficient nitrite reduction to NO.