Spinach ferredoxin-nitrite reductase: characterization of catalytic activity and interaction of the enzyme with substrates

The steady-state kinetic parameters of the enzymatic reduction of nitrite by spinach ferredoxin-nitrite reductase [EC 1.7.7.1] were measured under anaerobic conditions. The maximum velocity of ferredoxin-linked activity was essentially the same as for the methyl viologen-linked activity of the enzyme. The initial velocity patterns of the oxidation of reduced ferredoxin suggested a sequential reaction scheme by which nitrite and reduced ferredoxin bind to the free enzyme. The binding of nitrite and ferredoxin to the enzyme was also investigated by difference spectra produced by the complex formed by the enzyme with the substrates. Nitrite and ferredoxin each gave a 1: 1 complex with the enzyme. The dissociation constant (Kd) of the enzyme-nitrite complex agreed well with the Km value for the ferredoxin-linked activity, whereas the Kd of the enzyme-ferredoxin complex differed from the Km value for the enzyme activity. It was concluded that our preparation of spinach ferredoxin-nitrite reductase differs from both the complex (Mr=85,000) and the modified (Mr=61, 000) forms of the enzyme reported by Hirasawa et al. [J. Biol. Chem. 262, 1242812433 (1987)].