Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Inorganic Nitrogen Assimilation01:22

Inorganic Nitrogen Assimilation

702
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...
702
Metabolism of Chemolithotrophs01:15

Metabolism of Chemolithotrophs

1.1K
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.
1.1K
Overview of Nitrogen Metabolism01:20

Overview of Nitrogen Metabolism

12.0K
Nitrogen is a very important element for life because it is a major constituent of proteins and nucleic acids. It is a macronutrient, and in nature, it is recycled from organic compounds and stored in the form of  ammonia, ammonium ions, nitrate, nitrite, or  nitrogen gas by many metabolic processes. Many of these metabolic processes are carried out only by prokaryotes.
The largest pool of nitrogen available in the terrestrial ecosystem is gaseous nitrogen (N2) from the air, but this...
12.0K
The Nitrogen Cycle01:49

The Nitrogen Cycle

61.1K
Nitrogen atoms, present in all proteins and DNA, are recycled between abiotic and biotic components of the ecosystem. However, the primary form of nitrogen on Earth is nitrogen gas, which cannot be used by most animals and plants. Thus, nitrogen gas must first be converted into a usable form by nitrogen-fixing bacteria before it can be cycled through other living organisms. The use of nitrogen-containing fertilizers and animal waste products in human agriculture has greatly influenced the...
61.1K
1° Amines to Diazonium or Aryldiazonium Salts: Diazotization with NaNO2 Mechanism01:37

1° Amines to Diazonium or Aryldiazonium Salts: Diazotization with NaNO2 Mechanism

5.1K
Nitrous acid is a relatively weak and unstable acid prepared in situ by the reaction of sodium nitrite and cold, dilute hydrochloric acid. In an acidic solution, the nitrous acid undergoes protonation when it loses water to form a nitrosonium ion—an electrophile. Nitrous acid reacts with primary amines to give diazonium salts. The reaction is called diazotization of primary amines.
5.1K
Electrophilic Aromatic Substitution: Nitration of Benzene01:20

Electrophilic Aromatic Substitution: Nitration of Benzene

9.1K
The nitration of benzene is an example of an electrophilic aromatic substitution reaction. It involves the formation of a very powerful electrophile, the nitronium ion, which is linear in shape. The reaction occurs through the interaction of two strong acids, sulfuric and nitric acid.
9.1K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Electroenzymatic CO<sub>2</sub> Fixation.

Angewandte Chemie (International ed. in English)·2026
Same author

Correspondence on "Fortification of FeS Clusters Reshapes Anaerobic CO Dehydrogenase Into an Air-Viable Enzyme Through Multilayered Sealing of O<sub>2</sub> Tunnels".

Angewandte Chemie (International ed. in English)·2026
Same author

Direct Electrochemistry of Hydrogenase, Formate Dehydrogenase, CO Dehydrogenase, and Nitrogenase: Wiring Strategies and Mechanistic Insights into Metalloenzymes That Produce Solar Fuels.

Chemical reviews·2026
Same author

Subunit fusion unlocks rapid <i>in vitro</i> maturation for slowly activating heterodimeric [FeFe]-hydrogenases.

Chemical science·2026
Same author

Substituting Cyclohexyl with Phenyl at Phosphorus Makes a NiP<sub>2</sub>N<sub>2</sub> Molecular Catalyst Active for Hydrogen Evolution in Alkaline Conditions at Low Overvoltage.

Journal of the American Chemical Society·2025
Same author

Turning the FeFe hydrogenase from <i>Clostridium beijerinckii</i> into an efficient H<sub>2</sub> oxidation catalyst using a redox-active matrix.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 6, 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

6.7K

Dinitrogen Reduction: Interfacing the Enzyme Nitrogenase with Electrodes.

Vincent Fourmond1, Christophe Léger1

  • 1Laboratoire de Bioénergétique et Ingénierie des Protéines, Aix Marseille Université, CNRS, UMR7281, Marseille, France.

Angewandte Chemie (International Ed. in English)
|March 17, 2017
PubMed
Summary

Researchers demonstrated the bioelectrochemical reduction of nitrogen gas (N2) to ammonia using the enzyme nitrogenase. This breakthrough enables the development of novel biotechnological devices by wiring the enzyme to an electrode.

Keywords:
N2 reductionelectrocatalysisnitrogenase

More Related Videos

Synthesis and Performance Characterizations of Transition Metal Single Atom Catalyst for Electrochemical CO2 Reduction
10:57

Synthesis and Performance Characterizations of Transition Metal Single Atom Catalyst for Electrochemical CO2 Reduction

Published on: April 10, 2018

19.2K
Protein Film Infrared Electrochemistry Demonstrated for Study of H2 Oxidation by a [NiFe] Hydrogenase
10:01

Protein Film Infrared Electrochemistry Demonstrated for Study of H2 Oxidation by a [NiFe] Hydrogenase

Published on: December 4, 2017

12.8K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Mar 6, 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

6.7K
Synthesis and Performance Characterizations of Transition Metal Single Atom Catalyst for Electrochemical CO2 Reduction
10:57

Synthesis and Performance Characterizations of Transition Metal Single Atom Catalyst for Electrochemical CO2 Reduction

Published on: April 10, 2018

19.2K
Protein Film Infrared Electrochemistry Demonstrated for Study of H2 Oxidation by a [NiFe] Hydrogenase
10:01

Protein Film Infrared Electrochemistry Demonstrated for Study of H2 Oxidation by a [NiFe] Hydrogenase

Published on: December 4, 2017

12.8K

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Bioelectrochemistry
  • Enzyme engineering

Background:

  • Nitrogenase is a complex metalloenzyme responsible for biological nitrogen fixation.
  • Efficient and sustainable ammonia production is crucial for agriculture and industry.
  • Current ammonia synthesis methods, like the Haber-Bosch process, are energy-intensive.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide the first evidence for the bioelectrochemical reduction of N2 to ammonia using nitrogenase.
  • To explore the potential of wiring nitrogenase to an electrode for ammonia synthesis.

Main Methods:

  • Utilizing nitrogenase, a natural nitrogen-fixing enzyme.
  • Employing an electrochemical approach with a soluble mediator, methyl viologen.
  • Bioelectrochemical reduction of N2 to ammonia.

Main Results:

  • Demonstrated the first successful bioelectrochemical reduction of N2 to ammonia mediated by nitrogenase.
  • Showcased the enzyme's ability to function when interfaced with an electrode.

Conclusions:

  • Nitrogenase can be bioelectrocatalytically coupled to an electrode for ammonia production.
  • This simple approach opens avenues for developing new biotechnological devices for nitrogen conversion.
  • Highlights the potential of enzymatic approaches for sustainable chemical synthesis.