ANALYSIS OF AZOTOBACTER-VINELANDII NITROGENASE REACTION BY MONOCLONAL-ANTIBODIES

Nitrogenase catalyzes not only the reduction ofN2 to NH3 but also the reduction of C2H2 to C2- and H+ ion to H2 gas, etc. The detailed mechanism of the nitrogenase reaction is not clear. We have prepared monoclonal antibodies against Component I nitrogenase of A. vine/anmi and examined the etIects of antibodies on the nitrogenase reactions. A monoclonal antibody designated MA-l inhibited C2H2 reduction activity strongly but did not inhibit H2 evolution activity. MA-2, on the contrary, inhibited only H2 evolution activity. MA-8 inhibited both C2H2 reduction and H2 evolution activity to the same extent. © 1990 by the Japan Society for Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Agrochemistry.