A soluble aldehyde dehydrogenase (EC 1.2.1.3) was partially purified from Rhizobium japonicum bacteroids and from free-living R. japonicum 61A76. The enzyme was activated by NAD+, NADH, and dithiothreitol, and it reduced NAD(P)+. Acetaldehyde, propionaldehyde, butyraldehyde, benzaldehyde, and succinic semialdehyde were substrates. The Km for straight-chain aldehydes decreased with increasing carbon chain length. The aldehyde dehydrogenase was inhibited by 6-cyanopurine, but not by metronidazole. These compounds inhibited acetylene reduction, but not respiration, by isolated bacteroids.
