This enzyme belongs to the family of oxidoreductases, specifically those acting on other nitrogenous compounds as donors with other acceptors. The systematic name of this enzyme class is nitrous-oxide:acceptor oxidoreductase (NO-forming). Other names in common use include nitrogen oxide reductase, and nitrous-oxide: (acceptor) oxidoreductase (NO-forming). This enzyme participates in nitrogen metabolism and in the microbial defense against nitric oxide toxicity.