Definition Of Nif Genes

Nif genes the complex of genes encoding enzymes involved in the fixation of atmospheric nitrogen supplement the nif genes are genes involved in nitrogen fixation.

Definition of nif genes. They occur as an operon in free living anaerobic nitrogen fixing bacteria such as klebsiella pneumoniae rhodospirillum rubrum and rhodobacter capsulatus. A symbol for a gene which encodes nitrogenase or other proteins required for bacterial nitrogen fixation. The three structural genes for nitrogenase nif hdk and part of nif e have been cloned as a 4 2 megadalton fragment on a small amplifiable plasmid called psa30 an overlapping dna fragment encoding nif q e and part of nif k has been cloned on another amplifiable plasmid called pcm1 cannon et al 1977 1979. By hybridization of a 32 p labeled probe for which is used pcm1 and pacyc184.

They are found in nitrogen fixing bacteria. The nif genes are genes encoding enzymes involved in the fixation of atmospheric nitrogen into a form of nitrogen available to living organisms.