Control of nitrogenase in a photosynthetic autotrophic bacterium, Ectothiorhodospira sp

An Ectothiorhodospira species fixed nitrogen when grown as an autotroph in completely inorganic medium by using a variety of electron donors. The organism also used organic carbon sources; however, this required induction of synthesis of various enzymes, whereas the enzymes needed for autotrophic growth were synthesized constitutively. Nitrogenase induction and function were inhibited by ammonium chloride. Nitrogenase activity was dependent on light and inhibited by oxygen.