Description
The enzyme from the heterotrophic nitrifying bacterium Paracoccus denitrificans contains three to five non-heme, non-iron-sulfur iron atoms and interacts with cytochrome c556 and pseudoazurin. Under anaerobic conditions in vitro only nitrous oxide is formed. Presumably nitroxyl is released and combines with a second nitroxyl to give nitrous oxide and water. When oxygen is present, nitrite is formed