Nitrogen Fixation at 92°C by a Hydrothermal Vent Archaeon

@article{Mehta2006NitrogenFA,
  title={Nitrogen Fixation at 92°C by a Hydrothermal Vent Archaeon},
  author={Mausmi P. Mehta and John A. Baross},
  journal={Science},
  year={2006},
  volume={314},
  pages={1783 - 1786}
}
A methanogenic archaeon isolated from deep-sea hydrothermal vent fluid was found to reduce N2 to NH3 at up to 92°C, which is 28°C higher than the current upper temperature limit of biological nitrogen fixation. The 16S ribosomal RNA gene of the hyperthermophilic nitrogen fixer, designated FS406-22, was 99% similar to that of non–nitrogen fixing Methanocaldococcus jannaschii DSM 2661. At its optimal growth temperature of 90°C, FS406-22 incorporated 15N2 and expressed nifH messenger RNA. This… 
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199 Citations

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