Nitric oxide-dependent proton translocation in various denitrifiers.

Respiration of NO resulted in transient proton translocation in anaerobically grown cells of four physiologically diverse denitrifiers. Paracoccus denitrificans, Rhodopseudomonas sphaeroides subsp. denitrificans, "Achromobacter cycloclastes," and Rhizobium japonicum gave, respectively, H+/NO ratios of 3.65, 4.96, 1.94, and 1.12. Antimycin A completely inhibited NO-dependent proton translocation in P. denitrificans and severely restricted translocation in the R. sphaeroides strain. Proton uptake during NO respiration with antimycin A-inhibited cells supplied with an artificial electron source provided evidence for the periplasmic consumption of protons. Values obtained were consistent with the expected ratios of 0.5 mol of H+/mol of NO for reduction of NO to N2O and 1.0 mol of H+/mol of NO for reduction of NO to N2. These data are consistent with the presence of a unique NO reductase found only in anaerobically grown denitrifying cells.