Purification and characterization of the alternative nitrogenase from the photosynthetic bacterium Rhodospirillum rubrum

The structural components of the Azotobacter vinelandii iron-only nitrogenase, AnfDKG, form a protein complex within the plant mitochondrial matrix

A long-held goal of synthetic biology has been the transfer of a bacterial nitrogen-fixation pathway into plants to reduce the use of chemical fertiliser on crops such as rice, wheat and maize. There are three classes of bacterial nitrogenase, named after their metal requirements, containing either a MoFe-, VFe- or FeFe-cofactor, that converts N₂ gas to ammonia. Relative to the Mo-nitrogenase the Fe-nitrogenase is not as efficient for catalysis but has less complex genetic and metallocluster requirements, features that may be preferable for engineering into crops. Here we report the successful targeting of bacterial Fe-nitrogenase proteins, AnfD, AnfK, AnfG and AnfH, to plant mitochondria. When expressed as a single protein AnfD was mostly insoluble in plant mitochondria, but coexpression of AnfD with AnfK improved its solubility. Using affinity-based purification of mitochondrially expressed AnfK or AnfG we were able to demonstrate a strong interaction of AnfD with AnfK and a weaker interaction of AnfG with AnfDK. This work establishes that the structural components of the Fe-nitrogenase can be engineered into plant mitochondria and form a complex, which will be a requirement for function. This report outlines the first use of Fe-nitrogenase proteins within a plant as a preliminary step towards engineering an alternative nitrogenase into crops.

Potential of Phototrophic Purple Nonsulfur Bacteria to Fix Nitrogen in Rice Fields

Biological nitrogen fixation catalyzed by Mo-nitrogenase of symbiotic diazotrophs has attracted interest because its potential to supply plant-available nitrogen offers an alternative way of using chemical fertilizers for sustainable agriculture. Phototrophic purple nonsulfur bacteria (PNSB) diazotrophically grow under light anaerobic conditions and can be isolated from photic and microaerobic zones of rice fields. Therefore, PNSB as asymbiotic diazotrophs contribute to nitrogen fixation in rice fields. An attempt to measure nitrogen in the oxidized surface layer of paddy soil estimates that approximately 6–8 kg N/ha/year might be accumulated by phototrophic microorganisms. Species of PNSB possess one of or both alternative nitrogenases, V-nitrogenase and Fe-nitrogenase, which are found in asymbiotic diazotrophs, in addition to Mo-nitrogenase. The regulatory networks control nitrogenase activity in response to ammonium, molecular oxygen, and light irradiation. Laboratory and field studies have revealed effectiveness of PNSB inoculation to rice cultures on increases of nitrogen gain, plant growth, and/or grain yield. In this review, properties of the nitrogenase isozymes and regulation of nitrogenase activities in PNSB are described, and research challenges and potential of PNSB inoculation to rice cultures are discussed from a viewpoint of their applications as nitrogen biofertilizer.

The Spectroscopy of Nitrogenases

Nitrogenases are responsible for biological nitrogen fixation, a crucial step in the biogeochemical nitrogen cycle. These enzymes utilize a two-component protein system and a series of iron-sulfur clusters to perform this reaction, culminating at the FeMco active site (M = Mo, V, Fe), which is capable of binding and reducing N2 to 2NH3. In this review, we summarize how different spectroscopic approaches have shed light on various aspects of these enzymes, including their structure, mechanism, alternative reactivity, and maturation. Synthetic model chemistry and theory have also played significant roles in developing our present understanding of these systems and are discussed in the context of their contributions to interpreting the nature of nitrogenases. Despite years of significant progress, there is still much to be learned from these enzymes through spectroscopic means, and we highlight where further spectroscopic investigations are needed.

Reactivity, Mechanism, and Assembly of the Alternative Nitrogenases

Biological nitrogen fixation is catalyzed by the enzyme nitrogenase, which facilitates the cleavage of the relatively inert triple bond of N₂. Nitrogenase is most commonly associated with the molybdenum-iron cofactor called FeMoco or the M-cluster, and it has been the subject of extensive structural and spectroscopic characterization over the past 60 years. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, two "alternative nitrogenase" systems were discovered, isolated, and found to incorporate V or Fe in place of Mo. These systems are regulated by separate gene clusters; however, there is a high degree of structural and functional similarity between each nitrogenase. Limited studies with the V- and Fe-nitrogenases initially demonstrated that these enzymes were analogously active as the Mo-nitrogenase, but more recent investigations have found capabilities that are unique to the alternative systems. In this review, we will discuss the reactivity, biosynthetic, and mechanistic proposals for the alternative nitrogenases as well as their electronic and structural properties in comparison to the well-characterized Mo-dependent system. Studies over the past 10 years have been particularly fruitful, though key aspects about V- and Fe-nitrogenases remain unexplored.

Nitrogenases

Biological nitrogen fixation, the conversion of dinitrogen (N₂) into ammonia (NH₃), stands as a particularly challenging chemical process. As the entry point into a bioavailable form of nitrogen, biological nitrogen fixation is a critical step in the global nitrogen cycle. In Nature, only one enzyme, nitrogenase, is competent in performing this reaction. Study of this complex metalloenzyme has revealed a potent substrate reduction system that utilizes some of the most sophisticated metalloclusters known. This chapter discusses the structure and function of nitrogenase, covers methods that have proven useful in the elucidation of enzyme properties, and provides an overview of the three known nitrogenase variants.

Mechanism of N2 Reduction Catalyzed by Fe-Nitrogenase Involves Reductive Elimination of H2

Of the three forms of nitrogenase (Mo-nitrogenase, V-nitrogenase, and Fe-nitrogenase), Fe-nitrogenase has the poorest ratio of N2 reduction relative to H2 evolution. Recent work on the Mo-nitrogenase has revealed that reductive elimination of two bridging Fe-H-Fe hydrides on the active site FeMo-cofactor to yield H2 is a key feature in the N2 reduction mechanism. The N2 reduction mechanism for the Fe-nitrogenase active site FeFe-cofactor was unknown. Here, we have purified both component proteins of the Fe-nitrogenase system, the electron-delivery Fe protein (AnfH) plus the catalytic FeFe protein (AnfDGK), and established its mechanism of N2 reduction. Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy and mass spectrometry show that the FeFe protein component does not contain significant amounts of Mo or V, thus ruling out a requirement of these metals for N2 reduction. The fully functioning Fe-nitrogenase system was found to have specific activities for N2 reduction (1 atm) of 181 ± 5 nmol NH3 min-1 mg-1 FeFe protein, for proton reduction (in the absence of N2) of 1085 ± 41 nmol H2 min-1 mg-1 FeFe protein, and for acetylene reduction (0.3 atm) of 306 ± 3 nmol C2H4 min-1 mg-1 FeFe protein. Under turnover conditions, N2 reduction is inhibited by H2 and the enzyme catalyzes the formation of HD when presented with N2 and D2. These observations are explained by the accumulation of four reducing equivalents as two metal-bound hydrides and two protons at the FeFe-cofactor, with activation for N2 reduction occurring by reductive elimination of H2.

Comparative genomic analysis of N2-fixing and non-N2-fixing Paenibacillus spp.: organization, evolution and expression of the nitrogen fixation genes

We provide here a comparative genome analysis of 31 strains within the genus Paenibacillus including 11 new genomic sequences of N2-fixing strains. The heterogeneity of the 31 genomes (15 N2-fixing and 16 non-N2-fixing Paenibacillus strains) was reflected in the large size of the shell genome, which makes up approximately 65.2% of the genes in pan genome. Large numbers of transposable elements might be related to the heterogeneity. We discovered that a minimal and compact nif cluster comprising nine genes nifB, nifH, nifD, nifK, nifE, nifN, nifX, hesA and nifV encoding Mo-nitrogenase is conserved in the 15 N2-fixing strains. The nif cluster is under control of a σ(70)-depedent promoter and possesses a GlnR/TnrA-binding site in the promoter. Suf system encoding [Fe-S] cluster is highly conserved in N2-fixing and non-N2-fixing strains. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the nif cluster enabled Escherichia coli JM109 to fix nitrogen. Phylogeny of the concatenated NifHDK sequences indicates that Paenibacillus and Frankia are sister groups. Phylogeny of the concatenated 275 single-copy core genes suggests that the ancestral Paenibacillus did not fix nitrogen. The N2-fixing Paenibacillus strains were generated by acquiring the nif cluster via horizontal gene transfer (HGT) from a source related to Frankia. During the history of evolution, the nif cluster was lost, producing some non-N2-fixing strains, and vnf encoding V-nitrogenase or anf encoding Fe-nitrogenase was acquired, causing further diversification of some strains. In addition, some N2-fixing strains have additional nif and nif-like genes which may result from gene duplications. The evolution of nitrogen fixation in Paenibacillus involves a mix of gain, loss, HGT and duplication of nif/anf/vnf genes. This study not only reveals the organization and distribution of nitrogen fixation genes in Paenibacillus, but also provides insight into the complex evolutionary history of nitrogen fixation.

Characterization of a modified nitrogenase Fe protein from Klebsiella pneumoniae in which the 4Fe4S cluster has been replaced by a 4Fe4Se cluster

The Azotobacter vinelandii nifS gene product has been used with selenocysteine to reconstitute Klebsiella pneumoniae nitrogenase Fe protein. Chemical analysis and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy show that the 4Fe4S cluster present in the native protein is replaced by a 4Fe4Se cluster. As well, EXAFS spectroscopy shows that the bond lengths to the cysteine thiolate ligands shrink by 0.05 A (from 2.28 to 2.23 A) upon reduction, whereas the Fe-Fe distance is essentially unchanged. Thus, the core of the 4Fe4Se cluster remains essentially static on reduction, whilst the external cysteine thiolate ligands are pulled in towards the cluster. Compared with native (S)-Fe protein, the (Se)-Fe protein has a 20-fold increased rate of MgATP-induced Fe chelation, a sixfold decreased specific activity for acetylene reduction, a fivefold decreased rate of MgATP-dependent electron transfer from (Se)-Fe protein to MoFe protein, and a fourfold increase in the ATP to 2e (-) ratio. The high ATP to 2e (-) ratio and decreased specific activity are consistent with a lower rate of dissociation of oxidized (Se)-Fe protein from reduced MoFe protein. Thus, the relatively small adjustments in the Fe protein structure necessary to accommodate the 4Fe4Se cluster are transmitted both to adjacent residues that dock at the surface of the MoFe protein and to the ATP hydrolysis sites located approximately 19 A away.

Characterization of diazotrophs containing Mo-independent nitrogenases, isolated from diverse natural environments

Molybdenum-independent nitrogenases were first described in the nitrogen-fixing bacterium Azotobacter vinelandii and have since been described in other diazotrophic bacteria. Previously, we reported the isolation of seven diazotrophs with Mo-independent nitrogenases from aquatic environments. In the present study, we extend these results to include diazotrophs isolated from wood chip mulch, soil, "paraffin dirt," and sediments from mangrove swamps. Mo-deficient, N-free media under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions were used for the isolations. A total of 26 isolates were genetically and physiologically characterized. Their phylogenetic placement was determined using 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. Most of the isolates are members of the gamma subdivision of the class Proteobacteria and appear to be specifically related to fluorescent pseudomonads and azotobacteria. Two other isolates, AN1 and LPF4, are closely related to Enterobacter spp. and Paenibacillus spp., respectively. PCR and/or Southern hybridization were used to detect the presence of nitrogenase genes in the isolates. PCR amplification of vnfG and anfG was used to detect the genetic potential for the expression of the vanadium-containing nitrogenase and the iron-only nitrogenase in the isolates. This study demonstrates that diazotrophs with Mo-independent nitrogenases can be readily isolated from diverse natural environments.

Catalytic reduction of dinitrogen to ammonia at well-defined single metal sites

Dinitrogen (N2) is reduced to ammonia at room temperature and 1atm with molybdenum catalysts that contain tetradentate [HIPTN3N]3- triamidoamine ligands {[HIPTN3N]3-=[{3,5-(2,4,6-i-Pr3C6H2)2C6H3NCH2CH2}3N]3-, an example being [HIPTN3N]Mo(N2)} in heptane. Slow addition of the proton source ({2,6-lutidinium}{BAr'4}; Ar'=3,5-(CF3)2C6H3) and reductant (decamethyl chromocene) assure a high yield of ammonia (63-65% in four turnovers) versus dihydrogen formation. Numerous X-ray studies, along with isolation and characterization of seven intermediates in the proposed catalytic reaction (under noncatalytic conditions), suggest that N2 is being reduced at a sterically protected, single Mo centre that cycles between states Mo(III), Mo(IV), Mo(V) and Mo(VI).

Density Functional Theory Calculations and Exploration of a Possible Mechanism of N2 Reduction by Nitrogenase

Density functional theory (DFT) calculations have been performed on the nitrogenase cofactor, FeMoco. Issues that have been addressed concern the nature of M-M interactions and the identity and origin of the central light atom, revealed in a recent crystallographic study of the FeMo protein of nitrogenase (Einsle, O.; et al. Science 2002, 297, 871). Introduction of Se in place of the S atoms in the cofactor and energy minimization results in an optimized structure very similar to that in the native enzyme. The nearly identical, short, lengths of the Fe-Fe distances in the Se and S analogues are interpreted in terms of M-M weak bonding interactions. DFT calculations with O or N as the central atoms in the FeMoco marginally support the assignment of the central atom as N rather than O. The assumption was made that the central atom is the N atom, and steps of a catalytic cycle were calculated starting with either of two possible states for the cofactor and maintaining the same charge throughout (by addition of equal numbers of H(+) and e(-)) between steps. The states were [(Cl)Fe(II)(6)Fe(III)Mo(IV)S(9)(H(+))(3)N(3-)(Gl)(Im)](2-), [I-N-3H](2-), and [(Cl)Fe(II)(4)Fe(III)(3)Mo(IV)S(9)(H(+))(3)N(3-)(Gl)(Im)], [I-N-3H](0) (Gl = deprotonated glycol; Im = imidazole). These are the triply protonated ENDOR/ESEEM [I-N](5-) and Mössbauer [I-N](3-) models, respectively. The proposed mechanism explores the possibilities that (a) redox-induced distortions facilitate insertion of N(2) and derivative substrates into the Fe(6) central unit of the cofactor, (b) the central atom in the cofactor is an exchangeable nitrogen, and (c) the individual steps are related by H(+)/e(-) additions (and reduction of substrate) or aquation/dehydration (and distortion of the Fe(6) center). The Delta E's associated with the individual steps of the proposed mechanism are small and either positive or negative. The largest positive Delta E is +121 kJ/mol. The largest negative Delta E of -333 kJ/mol is for the FeMoco with a N(3-) in the center (the isolated form) and an intermediate in the proposed mechanism.

Metal substitution in the active site of nitrogenase MFe(7)S(9) (M = Mo(4+), V(3+), Fe(3+))

The unifying view that molybdenum is the essential component in nitrogenase has changed over the past few years with the discovery of a vanadium-containing nitrogenase and an iron-only nitrogenase. The principal question that has arisen for the alternative nitrogenases concerns the structures of their corresponding cofactors and their metal-ion valence assignments and whether there are significant differences with that of the more widely known molybdenum-iron cofactor (FeMoco). Spin-polarized broken-symmetry (BS) density functional theory (DFT) calculations are used to assess which of the two possible metal-ion valence assignments (4Fe(2+)4Fe(3+) or 6Fe(2+)2Fe(3+)) for the iron-only cofactor (FeFeco) best represents the resting state. For the 6Fe(2+)2Fe(3+) oxidation state, the spin coupling pattern for several spin state alignments compatible with S = 0 were generated and assessed by energy criteria. The most likely BS spin state is composed of a 4Fe cluster with spin S(a) = (7)/(2) antiferromagnetically coupled to a 4Fe' cluster with spin S(b) = (7)/(2). This state has the lowest DFT energy for the isolated FeFeco cluster and displays calculated Mössbauer isomer shifts consistent with experiment. Although the S = 0 resting state of FeFeco has recently been proposed to have metal-ion valencies of 4Fe(2+)4Fe(3+) (derived from experimental Mössbauer isomer shifts), our isomer shift calculations for the 4Fe(2+)4Fe(3+) oxidation state are in poorer agreement with experiment. Using the Mo(4+)6Fe(2+)Fe(3+) oxidation level of the cofactor as a starting point, the structural consequences of replacement of molybdenum (Mo(4+)) with vanadium (V(3+)) or iron (Fe(3+)) in the cofactor have been investigated. The size of the cofactor cluster shows a dependency on the nature of the heterometal and increases in the order FeMoco < FeVco < FeFeco.

The Fe-only nitrogenase and the Mo nitrogenase from Rhodobacter capsulatus: a comparative study on the redox properties of the metal clusters present in the dinitrogenase components

The dinitrogenase component proteins of the conventional Mo nitrogenase (MoFe protein) and of the alternative Fe-only nitrogenase (FeFe protein) were both isolated and purified from Rhodobacter capsulatus, redox-titrated according to the same procedures and subjected to an EPR spectroscopic comparison. In the course of an oxidative titration of the MoFe protein (Rc1Mo) three significant S = 1/2 EPR signals deriving from oxidized states of the P-cluster were detected: (1) a rhombic signal (g = 2.07, 1.96 and 1.83), which showed a bell-shaped redox curve with midpoint potentials (Em) of -195 mV (appearance) and -30 mV (disappearance), (2) an axial signal (g(parallel) = 2.00, g perpendicular = 1.90) with almost identical redox properties and (3) a second rhombic signal (g = 2.03, 2.00, 1.90) at higher redox potentials (> 100 mV). While the 'low-potential' rhombic signal and the axial signal have been both attributed to the one-electron-oxidized P-cluster (P1+) present in two conformationally different proteins, the 'high-potential' rhombic signal has been suggested rather to derive from the P3+ state. Upon oxidation, the FeFe protein (Rc1Fe) exhibited three significant S = 1/2 EPR signals as well. However, the Rc1Fe signals strongly deviated from the MoFe protein signals, suggesting that they cannot simply be assigned to different P-cluster states. (a) The most prominent feature is an unusually broad signal at g = 2.27 and 2.06, which proved to be fully reversible and to correlate with catalytic activity. The cluster giving rise to this signal appears to be involved in the transfer of two electrons. The midpoint potentials determined were: -80 mV (appearance) and 70 mV (disappearance). (b) Under weakly acidic conditions (pH 6.4) a slightly altered EPR signal occurred. It was characterized by a shift of the g values to 2.22 and 2.05 and by the appearance of an additional negative absorption-shaped peak at g = 1.86. (c) A very narrow rhombic EPR signal at g = 2.00, 1.98 and 1.96 appeared at positive redox potentials (Em = 80 mV, intensity maximum at 160 mV). Another novel S = 1/2 signal at g = 1.96, 1.92 and 1.77 was observed on further, enzymatic reduction of the dithionite-reduced state of Rc1Fe with the dinitrogenase reductase component (Rc2Fe) of the same enzyme system (turnover conditions in the presence of N2 and ATP). When the Rc1Mo protein was treated analogously, neither this 'turnover signal' nor any other S = 1/2 signal were detectable. All Rc1Fe-specific EPR signals detected are discussed and tentatively assigned with special consideration of the reference spectra obtained from Rc1Mo preparations.

Isolation of nitrogen-fixing bacteria containing molybdenum-independent nitrogenases from natural environments

Seven diazotrophs that grow well under Mo-deficient, N(2)-fixing conditions were isolated from a variety of environments. These isolates fall in the gamma subdivision of the class Proteobacteria and have genes that encode the Mo nitrogenase (nitrogenase 1) and the V nitrogenase (nitrogenase 2). Four of the isolates also harbor genes that encode the iron-only nitrogenase (nitrogenase 3).

Identification of genes unique to Mo-independent nitrogenase systems in diverse diazotrophs

A number of nitrogen-fixing bacteria were screened using PCR for genes (vnfG and anfG) unique to the V-containing nitrogenase (vnf) and the Fe-only nitrogenase (anf) systems. Products with sequences similar to that of vnfG were obtained from Azotobacter paspali and Azotobacter salinestris genomic DNAs, and products with sequences similar to that of anfG were obtained from Azomonas macrocytogenes, Rhodospirillum rubrum, and Azotobacter paspali DNAs. Phylogenetic analysis of the deduced amino acid sequences of anfG and vnfG genes shows that each gene product forms a distinct cluster. Furthermore, amplification of an internal 839-bp region in anfD and vnfD yielded a product similar to anfD from Heliobacterium gestii and a product similar to vnfD from Azotobacter paspali and Azotobacter salinestris. Phylogenetic analysis of NifD, VnfD, and AnfD amino acid sequences indicates that AnfD and VnfD sequences are more closely related to each other than either is to NifD. The results of this study suggest that Azotobacter salinestris possesses the potential to express the vanadium (V)-containing nitrogenase (nitrogenase 2) and that R. rubrum, Azomonas macrocytogenes, and H. gestii possess the potential to express the Fe-only nitrogenase (nitrogenase 3). Like Azotobacter vinelandii, Azotobacter paspali appears to have the potential to express both the V-containing nitrogenase and the Fe-only nitrogenase.Key words: Mo-independent nitrogenase systems, diverse diazotrophs, vnfG, anfG.

In vitro synthesis of the iron-molybdenum cofactor and maturation of the nif-encoded apodinitrogenase. Effect of substitution of VNFH for NIFH

NIFH (the nifH gene product) has several functions in the nitrogenase enzyme system. In addition to reducing dinitrogenase during nitrogenase turnover, NIFH functions in the biosynthesis of the iron-molybdenum cofactor (FeMo-co), and in the processing of alpha2beta2 apodinitrogenase 1 (a catalytically inactive form of dinitrogenase 1 that lacks the FeMo-co) to the FeMo-co-activatable alpha2beta2gamma2 form. The molybdenum-independent nitrogenase 2 (vnf-encoded) has a distinct dinitrogenase reductase protein, VNFH. We investigated the ability of VNFH to function in the in vitro biosynthesis of FeMo-co and in the maturation of apodinitrogenase 1. VNFH can replace NIFH in both the biosynthesis of FeMo-co and in the maturation of apodinitrogenase 1. These results suggest that the dinitrogenase reductase proteins do not specify the heterometal incorporated into the cofactors of the respective nitrogenase enzymes. The specificity for the incorporation of molybdenum into FeMo-co was also examined using the in vitro FeMo-co synthesis assay system.

Comparative biochemical characterization of the iron-only nitrogenase and the molybdenum nitrogenase from Rhodobacter capsulatus

The component proteins of the iron-only nitrogenase were isolated from Rhodobacter capsulatus (delta nifHDK, delta modABCD strain) and purified in a one-day procedure that included only one column-chromatography step (DEAE-Sephacel). This procedure yielded component 1 (FeFe protein, Rc1Fe), which was more than 95% pure, and an approximately 80% pure component 2 (Fe protein, Rc2Fe). The highest specific activities, which were achieved at an Rc2Fe/Rc1Fe molar ratio of 40:1, were 260 (C2H4 from C2H2), 350 (NH3 formation), and 2400 (H2 evolution) nmol product formed x min(-1) x mg protein(-1). The purified FeFe protein contained 26 +/- 4 Fe atoms; it did not contain Mo, V, or any other heterometal atom. The most significant catalytic property of the iron-only nitrogenase is its high H2-producing activity, which is much less inhibited by competitive substrates than the activity of the conventional molybdenum nitrogenase. Under optimal conditions for N2 reduction, the activity ratios (mol N2 reduced/mol H2 produced) obtained were 1:1 (molybdenum nitrogenase) and 1:7.5 (iron nitrogenase). The Rc1Fe protein has only a very low affinity for C2H2. The Km value determined (12.5 kPa), was about ninefold higher than the Km for Rc1Mo (1.4 kPa). The proportion of ethane produced from acetylene (catalyzed by the iron nitrogenase), was strictly pH dependent. It corresponded to 5.5% of the amount of ethylene at pH 6.5 and was almost zero at pH values greater than 8.5. In complementation experiments, component 1 proteins coupled very poorly with the 'wrong' component 2. Rc1Fe, if complemented with Rc2Mo, showed only 10-15% of the maximally possible activity. Cross-reaction experiments with isolated polyclonal antibodies revealed that Rc1Fe and Rc1Mo are immunologically not related. The most active Rc1Fe samples appeared to be EPR-silent in the Na2S2O4-reduced state. However, on partial oxidation with K3[Fe(CN)6] or thionine several signals occurred. The most significant signal appears to be the one at g = 2.27 and 2.06 which deviates from all signals so far described for P clusters. It is a transient signal that appears and disappears reversibly in a redox potential region between -100 mV and +150 mV. Another novel EPR signal (g = 1.96, 1.92, 1.77) occurred on further reduction of Rc1Fe by using turnover conditions in the presence of a substrate (N2, C2H2, H+).