Respiratory inhibitors activate an Fnr-like regulatory protein in Paracoccus denitrificans: implications for the regulation of the denitrification pathway.

Unlike the uncoupler carbonyl cyanide 3-chlorophenyl-hydrazone, the respiratory inhibitors CN-, N3-, NO2- and rotenone enhanced the formation of nitrate and nitrite reductases in highly aerated cultures of the Paracoccus denitrificans ex-conjugant PD1222 (pRW2A/FF). A maximal effect was observed at concentrations partly blocking electron transport to O2. The level of beta-galactosidase reporting the activity of an Fnr-like regulatory protein showed a similar concentration dependency. It is concluded that oxygen is sensed by Fnr in an indirect way, possibly via the redox state of a cellular component.