Modes of reduction of nitrogen in heterocysts isolated from Anabaena species

N2 fixation (acetylene reduction) has been studied with heterocysts isolated from Anabaena cylindrica and Anabaena 7120. In the presence of ATP and at very low concentrations of sodium dithionite, reducing equivalents for activity of nitrogenase in these cells can be derived from several compounds. In the dark, D-glucose 6-phosphate, 6-phosphogluconate and DL-isocitrate support acetylene reduction via NADPH. In the light, reductant can be generated by Photosystem I.