Deep-Sea Microbe’s Heat‑Resistant Enzyme Turns Nitrogen into Ammonia at Extreme Temperatures

A deep‑sea bacterium has been found to use a highly heat‑resistant enzyme that converts atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia at temperatures that would normally denature most proteins. The enzyme’s unusual structure and a newly observed reaction state suggest it operates through a mechanism that may have been shared by ancient nitrogen‑fixing organisms. Researchers noted that the enzyme remains active in conditions that would destroy conventional nitrogenases, indicating a robust catalytic core. The discovery offers a glimpse into how life can adapt nitrogen fixation to extreme environments and points to a potential evolutionary link between deep‑sea microbes and other nitrogen‑fixing species. Scientists are now exploring whether this resilience can be harnessed to develop more efficient, low‑energy biotechnological processes for ammonia production.