Control of nitrate reductase by iron in Neurospora crassa

Abstract

Iron deficiency has been found to occur in Neurospora crassa grown in sole nitrate medium, even when levels of iron, normal with respect to the usual ammonium nitrate medium, were provided. Under this condition, mycelial nitrate reductase and catalase levels were high, there was inhibition of growth, and there was accumulation of an iron-binding compound and nitrite in the culture filtrate. These were counteracted by increasing the iron level of the sole nitrate medium, except that the catalase level increased still further. Evidence is presented for the control of nitrate reductase by iron.