Nitrosomonas europaea cytochrome P460 is a direct link between nitrification and nitrous oxide emission

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) is a potent ozone-depleting greenhouse gas. This work identifies a means by which N₂O is generated during nitrification, or biological ammonia oxidation. Fertilizer use in agriculture stimulates nitrification, thus increasing the volume of N₂O emissions worldwide. The results presented herein will inform models and strategies toward optimized, sustainable agriculture. Moreover, these results highlight a rare example of biological N-N bond formation.