Nitrite is reduced by nitrite reductase NirB without small subunit NirD in Escherichia coli

The assimilatory nitrite reductase enzyme NirB and small subunit NirD genes encoded in nir operon in Escherichia coli were cloned into the pET28a vector, and the recombinant enzyme was characterized for the first time. Docking of NirB with NirD, NADH, NO2-, NO3-, and CHO2- was performed using docking modeling programs. Methyl viologen and sodium dithionite were used as electron couples, and the amount of reduced nitrite was measured to calculate enzyme activity. NirB is the main enzyme and shows high activity with or without NirD. However, the inclusion of NirD into the enzyme solution at a ratio of 1NirD:2NirB resulted in 10% higher nitrite reductase activity. The enzyme tends to aggregate in the absence of b-mercaptoethanol, which causes the conversion of tetrameric NirB to monomeric form, and the NirB enzyme shows its highest activity in monomeric form. The optimum temperature for enzyme activity was 37 degrees C and the optimum pH was found to be 7.0. Km and Vmax values of NirB were calculated as 9833 mM and 416.67 mmol NO2- reduced minL1 mgL1. Enzyme activity decreased by 55% and 50% in the presence of 100 mM nitrate and formate, respectively. The presence of 25 mM Cd2D protected the enzyme at room temperature and the enzyme showed 10% higher activity in the presence of cadmium.(c) 2022, The Society for Biotechnology, Japan. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The assimilatory nitrite reductase enzyme NirB and its small subunit NirD were studied in Escherichia coli, revealing that the presence of NirD increased the catalytic activity of NirB. The optimal temperature and pH for enzyme activity were determined to be 37 degrees C and 7.0, respectively. Additionally, the presence of cadmium ions protected the enzyme and enhanced its activity under certain conditions.