Nitrate reductase contains molybdenum as a cofactor and belongs to the family of dimethyl sulfoxide reductase. It is localized in periplasm, cytoplasm, and cell membrane.
Nitrate reductase is the first enzyme in nitrate assimilation pathway. During reduction of nitrate to nitrite, it uses pyridinenucleotides, flavin, or benzyl viologen as electron donors. It acts as central point for integration of metabolism by monitoring flux of reduced nitrogen in plants, algae and fungi. In plants, nitrate reductase is regulated by a number of factors, such as nitrate, metabolites, dropdown in temperature, phytohormones, drought and light.
