title: Recombinant expression of the fdxD gene of Rhodobacter capsulatus and characterization of its product, a [2Fe-2S] ferredoxin.
abstract: A gene called fdxD that could potentially code for a ferredoxin has recently been identified upstream of the nitrogenase structural genes in Rhodobacter capsulatus [Willison, Pierrard and Hübner (1993) Gene 133, 39-46]. In the present study, the fdxD gene product has been overproduced in Escherichia coli in a soluble form. The recombinant protein, pink in colour, was purified to homogeneity, and biochemically characterized as a new ferredoxin. It represents the fifth ferredoxin so far identified in R. capsulatus and was designated FdV. Its N-terminal sequence is identical with that of the native ferredoxin isolated from R. capsulatus. U.v-visible-absorption spectra as well as results of c.d. and e.p.r. spectroscopy demonstrated that the fdxD product contained a [2Fe-2S] cluster correctly assembled and incorporated into the polypeptide. Although similar to plant-type ferredoxins, FdV appeared poorly competent in the photo-reduction of NADP+. On the basis of in vitro assays, FdV cannot serve as an electron donor for nitrogenase. The lack of reactivity of FdV in either of these assays may primarily be due to its relatively high mid-point redox potential (E'o = -220 mV, pH 7.5).
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Biochimie Microbienne (CNRS URA 1130, alliée à l'INSERM), Départment de Biologie Moléculaire et Structurale, Grenoble, France.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Armengaud
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Meyer
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Jouanneau
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D001483:Base Sequence; D002942:Circular Dichroism; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D004578:Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000235:genetics; D005288:Ferredoxins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010957:Plasmids; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism; D016354:Rhodobacter capsulatus / Q000235:genetics*; D013057:Spectrum Analysis
chemical_list: C081714:2Fe-2S ferredoxin; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D005288:Ferredoxins; D011994:Recombinant Proteins