A NADH-dependent nitroreductase from an efficient nitro-reducing soil bacterium, Streptomyces mirabilis DUT001, was isolated and characterized. The enzyme was purified to near homogeneity using ammonium sulfate precipitation, ion exchange chromatography, and gel filtration chromatography. The native enzyme was estimated by gel filtration to have a molecular weight of 68 kDa, and its subunit molecular weight determined by SDS-PAGE was about 34 kDa, which indicated this enzyme was a dimer. Polycyclic nitroaromatic compounds were preferred substrates for this enzyme. The purified enzyme exhibited maximum activity at pH 7.5 and 40 degrees C. The addition of various chemicals such as reducing agents, metal ions, and chelating agents, had effects on enzyme activity. Mg2+, Ca2+, Sr2+, and 1% (w/v) Triton X-100 increased activity. However. Hg2+, Co2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, and SDS reduced activity. The maximum reaction rate (V-max) was 64 mu M min(-1) mg(-1) enzyme and the apparent Michaelis-Menten constants (K-m) for 4-nitro-1,8-naphthalic anhydride and NADH were 276 and 29 mu M, respectively. Menadione, bimethylenebis, sodium benzoate, and antimycin A were inhibitors of the purified nitroreductase with apparent inhibition constants (K(i)s) of 20, 36, 44 and 80 mu M, respectively. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.