Untersuchungen zur lichtabhängigen Nitritreduktion von Chlorella
Summary1.The dependence of nitrite reduction activity in Chlorella fuscaShihira et Krauss, as measured by uptake of nitrite, on the developmental stage, light intensity and CO2 concentration was investigated.2.There is a quantitative relation between uptake of nitrite-nitrogen and increase of organic cell-nitrogen.3.The kinetics of nitrite reduction in light are linear with time at high CO2 concentrations (3% in air) but biphasic at low CO2 concentrations (0 to 0.03%). In the steady state phase nitrite uptake is stimulated by an increase in the CO2 concentration from 0 to 0.03%. The initial phase and the steady state phase exhibit a different temperature dependence.4.Nitrite uptake in the steady state phase is completely inhibited by iodoacetamide at concentrations which inhibit the photosynthetic CO2 reduction (5×10−5 M). At lower iodoacetamide concentrations (1 to 2×10−5 M) the linear time course of nitrite uptake at high CO2 concentrations is changed in the same manner as it is when the CO2 concentration is lowered.It is concluded that under special conditions (e.g. low CO2 concentration) the rate of steady state nitrite reduction in light is limited by the supply of carbon skeleton (i.e. N acceptors in the synthesis of organic nitrogen compounds) from the photosynthetic CO2 reduction cycle.5.Pre-illumination in the presence of nitrite followed by a dark period depresses the initial phase of nitrite uptake in light at low CO2 concentrations. Pretreatment with nitrite in the dark lowers the nitrite uptake of the cells in the initial phase by exactly the same amount of nitrite which has been taken up during the pre-darkening period.
 It is concluded that there is a correlation between the initial phase of nitrite reduction in light and the respiration-linked nitrite reduction in the dark.
Polarographische Messung der Nitritreduktion von Chlorella im monochromatischen Licht
SummaryIn green plant cells nitrite is reduced by two systems, one dependent on photosynthesis and the other upon respiration. Using a polarographic method for continuous measurement of nitrite uptake, the relationship between light driven and respiration linked nitrite reduction of Chlorella cells was studied.Photosynthetic nitrite reduction is characterized by a pronounced increase in the velocity of nitrite uptake upon illumination. After the light is turned off the velocity immediately returns to the preillumination value. Photosynthetic nitrite reduction of Chlorella is separated from respiration linked nitrite reduction by illumination with red light under anaerobic conditions; it is stimulated by CO2 and is inhibited by DCMU, findings which confirm earlier observations.In white light a special blue light stimulation of nitrite uptake is overlapped by photosynthetic nitrite reduction. In contrast to photosynthetic nitrite reduction this type of light stimulation is characterized by a lag period of about I min from the onset of illumination; it continues about 10 min when the light is turned off. It is separated from photosynthetic nitrite reduction by irradiation of the algae with low intensities of short wavelength light (<500 nm). Blue light stimulation of nitrite uptake of Chlorella is strongly dependent on the developmental stage of the cells. It is observed with young cells (autospores) of synchronized algae only.There is no evidence for any connection between blue light stimulation of nitrite uptake and photosynthesis. From the sensitivity of this process towards anaerobic conditions and antimycin A it is concluded to be a stimulation of respiration linked nitrite reduction.Under conditions of low exogenous nitrite concentration a temporary inhibition of steady state dark nitrite reduction appears immediately after the light is turned off. From several observations it is concluded that the inhibition already exists during the preceding illumination and decreases the rate of total nitrite uptake in the light. This process is suppressed by inhibition of respiration as well as by the inhibitor of photosynthesis, DCMU.If nitrate is the source of nitrogen an excretion of nitrite is found following illumination. The kinetics of this process agree with those observed for the light induced inhibition of steady state dark nitrite reduction immediately after illumination.
Seasonal changes in the nitrate-reducing activity of a green alga
Trotz konstanter Kultur- und Versuchsbedingungen zeigt die Nitratreduktion intakter Zellen und zellfreier Extrakte der GrünalgeAnkistrodesmus braunii ausgeprägte jahresperiodische Schwankungen. Das Aktivitätsmaximum liegt in den Monaten Juni/Juli, das Minimum im Oktober/November.