Effect of nitrate on the synthesis and decay of nitrate reductase of Neurospora.

1. A method was developed to examine the turnover of nitrate reductase by the use of tungstate. 2. Evidence is presented which suggests that the disappearance of nitrate reductase activity from Neurospora mycelia exposed to non-inducing conditions is due to the disappearance of the enzyme protein(s) from the mycelia, and not merely due to the disappearance of its (their) catalytic power. 3. The presence of NO(3) (-) in the culture medium slows down the rate of degradation of nitrate reductase in Neurospora in vivo.