Iron as a possible mediator of the oxic-to-anoxic transition in Paracoccus denitrificans

Expression of the lacZ gene from the Fnr-regulated FF-melR promoter on a plasmid in iron-deprived Paracoccus denitrificans cells required not only a decreased oxygen tension but also supplementation with iron. The levels of beta-galactosidase and 5-aminolevulinate synthase showed comparable responses to changes in iron availability. The presence of soluble and particulate enzymes catalyzing the reduction of Fe(III) by NADH suggests a hypothesis in which the redox state of the cytoplasmic NAD-couple determines the concentration of free Fe(II) and thereby modulates the activity of a common regulator of the Fnr type.