Abstract
NarGHJI
operon encodes a nitrate reductase that can reduce nitrate to nitrite. This process enhances bacterial survival by nitrate respiration under anaerobic conditions.
NarGHJI
operon exists in many bacteria, especially saprophytic bacteria living in soil which play a key role in the nitrogen cycle. Most actinomycetes, including
Mycobacterium tuberculosis,
possess
NarGHJI
operons.
M. tuberculosis
is a facultative intracellular pathogen that expands in macrophages and has the ability to persist in a non-replicative form in granuloma lifelong. Nitrogen and nitrogen compounds play crucial roles in the struggle between
M. tuberculosis
and host.
M. tuberculosis
can use nitrate as a final electron acceptor under anaerobic conditions to enhance its survival. In this article, we reviewed the mechanisms regulating nitrate reductase expression and affecting its activity. Potential genes involved in regulating the nitrate reductase expression in
M. tuberculosis
were identified. The conserved
NarG
might be an alternative mycobacterium taxonomic marker.