Abstract

ROLE OF NITRATE REDUCTASE IN NITROGEN FIXATION UNDER PHOTOSYNTHETIC REGULATION

*Mohd Mazid¹, Taqi Ahmed Khan², Firoz Mohammad¹

Abstract

Nitrate reductase (EC: 1.6.6.1-3, NR) represents a short, soluble electron transport chain localized in the cytosol, catalyzes the NAD(P)H reduction of NO3 to NO2 and plays a key role in the regulation of NO3 assimilation in lower and higher plants. Assimilatory NR of higher plants is a most interesting enzyme, both from its central function in plant primary metabolism and control of catabolic activity. It is shown that light and plant hormone availability is the major external triggers for the rapid and reversible modulation of NR activity. As it is well known that products of light reaction reflects the need to co-ordinate carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) assimilation. This article summarizes the role of NR in N-fixation under photosynthetic modulation in context with current scenario of CO2 enhancement. This review also shades a small beam of light about NR as an environmental remediation tool as well.

Keywords: Nucleotide sequencing, photosynthesis, higher plants, lower plants.