Electron Donation and Alternative Nitrogenases in Cyanobacterial Dinitrogen Fixation

Abstract

A review. Dinitrogen fixation requires ATP and either ferredoxin or flavodoxin in the reduced form as the carrier transferring electrons directly to nitrogenase. The main pathway for electron generation is from glucose-6-P via glucose-6-P dehydrogenase, NADPH, NADPH:ferredoxin oxidoreductase, to ferredoxin. The hydrogenases in dinitrogen fixation, nitrogenase types in cyanobacteria, and the occurrence of alternative nitrogenases in nature are discussed. [on SciFinder(R)]