Abstract
Nitrate reductase (NR) activity was assayed by measuring the NADH-dependent formation of nitrite in phytoplankton extracts. NR specific activity increased with the nitrate concentration of the water in upwelling areas of the Peru Current. The temperature optimum for NR for natural phytoplankton was 15° to 20°C. NR activity showed diel periodicity, with maximum activity about noon and minimum activity near midnight local time. Rate of nitrate reduction in the extracts averaged only about 15% of the rate of nitrate assimilation in the whole cells.
Similar content being viewed by others
Literature cited
Beevers, L. and R. H. Hageman: Nitrate reduction in higher plants. A. Rev. Pl. Physiol. 20, 495–522 (1969).
—, L. E. Schbader, D. Flesher and R. H. Hageman: The role of light and nitrate in the induction of nitrate reductase in radish cotyledons and maize seedlings. Pl. Physiol., Lancaster 40, 691–698 (1965).
Eppley, R. W. and J. L. Coatsworth: Nitrate and nitrite uptake by Ditylum brightwellii—kinetics and mechanisms. J. Phycol. 4, 151–156 (1968).
— and L. Solórzano: Studies of nitrate reductase in marine phytoplankton. Limnol. Oceanogr. 14, 194–205 (1969).
—, J. N. Rogers and J. J. McCarthy: Half-saturation constants for uptake of nitrate and ammonium by marine phytoplankton. Limnol. Oceanogr. 14, 912–920 (1969).
— and W. H. Thomas: Comparison of half-saturation constants for growth and nitrate uptake of marine phytoplankton. J. Phycol. 5, 375–379 (1969).
Goering, J. J., R. C. Dugdale and D. W. Menzel: Cyclic diurnal variations in the uptake of ammonia and nitrate by photosynthetic organisms in the Sargasso Sea. Limnol. Oceanogr. 9, 448–451 (1964).
Grant, B. R. and I. M. Turner: Light stimulated nitrate and nitrate assimilation in several species of algae. Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 29, 995–1004 (1969).
Hageman, R. H., D. Flesher and A. Gitter: Diurnal variation and other light effects influencing the activity of nitrate reductase and nitrogen metabolism in corn. Crop Sci. 1, 201–204 (1961).
Hattori, A.: Light-induced reduction of nitrate, nitrite and hydroxylamine in a blue-green alga, Anabaena cylindrica. Pl. Cell Physiol. Tokyo 3, 355–369 (1962).
Lorenzen, C. J.: Determination of chlorophyll and phaeopigments: spectrophotometric equatione. Limnol. Oceanogr. 12, 343–346 (1967).
MacIsaac, J. J. and R. C. Dugdale: The kinetics of nitrate and ammonium uptake by natural populations of marine phytoplankton. Deep Sea Res. 16, 415–422 (1968).
Schrader, L. E., G. L. Ritenour, G. L. Eilrich and R. H. Hageman: Some characteristics of nitrate reductase from higher plants. Pl. Physiol., Lancaster 43, 930–940 (1968).
Shibata, M., M. Kobayashi and E. Takahashi: The possibility of photo-induced induction of nitrate reductase in rice seedlings. Pl. Cell Physiol., Tokyo 10, 337–348 (1969).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Communicated by G. L. Voss, Miami
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Eppley, R.W., Packard, T.T. & MacIsaac, J.J. Nitrate reductase in Peru current phytoplankton. Marine Biology 6, 195–199 (1970). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00347227
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00347227