Regulation of nitrous oxide formation in cell

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26620140
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Bio-related chemistry
• Research Institution: Institute of Physical and Chemical Research
• Principal Investigator: Yoshitsugu Shiro 国立研究開発法人理化学研究所, 放射光科学総合研究センター, 主任研究員 (70183051)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 一酸化窒素 / 亜酸化窒素 / 脱窒菌 / 嫌気呼吸 / 温室効果ガス / オゾン層破壊物質

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Nitrous oxide (N2O) is not only a green-house gas but also ozone-depleting substance. About 70% of the global emission of N2O is attributable to the anaerobic respiration of denitrification micro-organisms. We aimed to elucidate and to regulate a molecular mechanism of the N2O generation by the micro-organisms. On he basis of the X-ray crystallographic analysis, the functional analysis of some mutants and the molecular dynamic simulation, we proposed that the complex of the NO generation enzyme (nitrite reductase) and NO detoxifying enzyme (nitric oxide reductes) in micro-organism cell is a key player for the N2O generation. We also found four compounds which inhibit the NiR function, and eventually the N2O formation.

Free Research Field

生物無機化学