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. 1992 Dec;174(24):7934–7940. doi: 10.1128/jb.174.24.7934-7940.1992

Molybdoenzyme biosynthesis in Escherichia coli: in vitro activation of purified nitrate reductase from a chlB mutant.

C L Santini 1, C Iobbi-Nivol 1, C Romane 1, D H Boxer 1, G Giordano 1
PMCID: PMC207528  PMID: 1459941

Abstract

All molybdoenzyme activities are absent in chlB mutants because of their inability to synthesize molybdopterin guanine dinucleotide, which together with molybdate constitutes the molybdenum cofactor in Escherichia coli. The chlB mutants are able to synthesize molybdopterin. We have previously shown that the inactive nitrate reductase present in a chlB mutant can be activated in a process requiring protein FA and a heat-stable low-molecular-weight substance. We show here that purified nitrate reductase from the soluble fraction of a chlB mutant can be partially activated in a process that requires protein FA, GTP, and an additional protein termed factor X. It appears that the molybdopterin present in the nitrate reductase of a chlB mutant is converted to molybdopterin guanine dinucleotide during activation. The activation is absolutely dependent upon both protein FA and factor X. Factor X activity is present in chlA, chlB, chlE, and chlG mutants.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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