The reaction mechanism of adenosine 5'-phosphosulfate (APS) reductase (EC 1.8.99.2) from Thiobacillus thioparus was studied using difference spectrum and stopped-flow techniques. The enzyme-bound FAD was rapidly reduced by sulfite with a first order rate constant of 97.1 s-1. The addition of AMP induced further spectral changes in the reduced enzyme which were consistent with the oxidation of FADH2 to the red (anionic) semiquinone FADH-) and the concomitant reduction of nonheme iron to the ferrous state. Superoxide dismutase (EC 1.15.1.1) or anaerobiosis inhibited the reduction of cytochrome c by the enzyme only to the extent of 25-35%, indicating the existence of a direct reduction of cytochrome c by the enzyme without involving O2-. the activity of enzyme with cytochrome c was inhibited by increasing the potassium phosphate concentration, the inhibition being more pronounced with horse heart cytochrome c than with Candida krusei cytochrome c.