Characteristics of Nicotiana tabacum nitrate reductase protein produced in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Tobacco nitrate reductase (NR) produced in yeast retains cytochrome c reductase activity, but not NR activity. Biochemical data suggest that the haem and FAD domains are functional, and that the molybdenum cofactor (MoCo) domain is inactive owing to the absence of MoCo in yeast. The native form of the produced NR is dimeric. Thus MoCo is not involved in NR dimerization in higher plants, contrary to current assumptions.