Tungsten-induced inactivation of molybdoenzymes in Anabaena

The effect of tungsten on growth and activity of two molybdoenzymes has been studied in a nitrogen-fixing heterocystous cyanobacterium, Anabaena. Sodium tungstate inhibited growth and inactivated nitrogenase and nitrate reductase. The activity of both enzymes was restored by the addition of molybdenum. Tungstate treatment caused increase in heterocyst frequency both in NO3- medium and in medium free of combined nitrogen. These results suggest that tungstate treatment inactivates the molybdoenzymes in this cyanobacterium.