Identification of the genes encoding nitric oxide reductase in the aerobic photosynthetic bacterium Roseobacter denitrificans OCh114.

A cytochrome bc-type complex of Roseobacter denitrificans OCh114 was thought to be a novel cytochrome c oxidase. To determine its function, we deleted the genes encoding the complex. The mutant grew normally by aerobic respiration, but failed to grow by denitrification and lacked nitric oxide reductase activity, indicating that the physiological function of the gene product is nitric oxide reduction.