Effects of ammonia on the de novo synthesis of polypeptides in cells of Nitrosomonas europaea denied ammonia as an energy source.

The effects of ammonium on the de novo synthesis of polypeptides in the soil-nitrifying bacterium Nitrosomonas europaea have been investigated. Cells were incubated in the presence of both acetylene and NH4+. Under these conditions, the cells were unable to utilize NH4+ as an energy source. Energy to support protein synthesis was supplied by the oxidation of hydroxylamine or other alternative substrates for hydroxylamine oxidoreductase. De novo protein synthesis was detected by 14C incorporation from 14CO2 into polypeptides by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and fluorography. In the presence of NH4+, acetylene-treated cells synthesized the 27-kDa polypeptide of ammonia monoxygenase (AMO) and two other major polypeptides (with sizes of 55 and 65 kDa). The synthesis of these polypeptides was completely inhibited by chloramphenicol and attenuated by rifampin. The optimal concentration of hydroxylamine for the in vivo 14C-labeling reaction was found to be 2 mM. The effect of NH4+ concentration was also examined. It was shown to cause a saturable response with a Ks of approximately 2.0 mM NH4+. Labeling studies conducted at different pH values suggest cells respond to NH3 rather than NH4+. No other compounds tested were able to influence the synthesis of the 27-kDa component of AMO, although we have also demonstrated that this polypeptide can be synthesized under anaerobic conditions in cells utilizing pyruvate- or hydrazine-dependent nitrite reduction as an energy source. We conclude that ammonia has a regulatory effect on the synthesis of a subunit of AMO in addition to providing nitrogen for protein synthesis.