Function
Nitrate reductase plays a strong role in the nitrogen cycle. It fixes nitrate to nitrite so it can be more easily converted to nitrogen gas for the atmosphere. Nitrate reduction can also cause increases in the levels of phosphate in groundwater. [1]
Relevance
Nitrates from agricultural runoff can pollute bodies of water and damage the ecosystem. When nitrate concentration increases in water sources, it leads to algal blooms and eutrophication which can drastically reduce the species diversity of the water source. [2]
Structural highlights
where nitrate is fixed to nitrite. The molybdenum molecule is responsible for nitrate reduction. The FS0 cluster is a potential electron transfer route for the molybdenum core.
where mutations can occur that prevent the FS0 cluster from binding, specifically a mutation to .
mutations can reduce enzyme efficiency by removal of the positively charged Serine.
