The possible involvement of copper-containing nitrite reductase (NirK) and flavohemoglobin in denitrification by the fungus Cylindrocarpon tonkinense

Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 2010;74(7):1403-7. doi: 10.1271/bbb.100071. Epub 2010 Jul 7.

Abstract

The occurrence of denitrification and nitrate respiration among eukaryotes has been established during the last few decades. However, denitrification-related eukaryotic genes have been isolated from only a few fungi, and eukaryotic denitrification (or nitrate respiration) is still inadequately understood. In this study, we identified genes that were up-regulated under denitrifying conditions in the fungus Cylindrocarpon tonkinense using the suppression subtraction hybridization technique, and the expression patterns of these genes were characterized by Northern analysis. We identified copper-containing nitrite reductase, cytochrome P450 nitric oxide reductase, flavohemoglobin (Fhb), and formate/nitrite transporter homolog genes as possibly involved in fungal denitrification. Our results concerning the involvement of Fhb and formate/nitrite transporter perhaps provide new insight into the fungal denitrification system.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cloning, Molecular
  • Copper / metabolism*
  • Fungal Proteins / metabolism*
  • Fusarium / enzymology
  • Fusarium / genetics
  • Fusarium / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal
  • Nitrite Reductases / chemistry*
  • Nitrite Reductases / genetics
  • Nitrite Reductases / metabolism*
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA

Substances

  • Fungal Proteins
  • Copper
  • Nitrite Reductases