Activating factor for the iron protein of nitrogenase from Rhodospirillum rubrum.

As isolated from Rhodospirillum rubrum, the iron protein of nitrogenase has little or no activity. It can be activated by incubating it with a trypsin-sensitive, oxygen-labile component (activating factor) plus adenosine triphosphate and a divalent metal ion. After activation, the iron protein retains its nitrogenase activity when the activating factor is removed.