Preliminary X-ray diffraction analysis of crystals of the PII protein from Escherichia coli

Nitrogen assimilation in Escherichia coli: putting molecular data into a systems perspective

We present a comprehensive overview of the hierarchical network of intracellular processes revolving around central nitrogen metabolism in Escherichia coli. The hierarchy intertwines transport, metabolism, signaling leading to posttranslational modification, and transcription. The protein components of the network include an ammonium transporter (AmtB), a glutamine transporter (GlnHPQ), two ammonium assimilation pathways (glutamine synthetase [GS]-glutamate synthase [glutamine 2-oxoglutarate amidotransferase {GOGAT}] and glutamate dehydrogenase [GDH]), the two bifunctional enzymes adenylyl transferase/adenylyl-removing enzyme (ATase) and uridylyl transferase/uridylyl-removing enzyme (UTase), the two trimeric signal transduction proteins (GlnB and GlnK), the two-component regulatory system composed of the histidine protein kinase nitrogen regulator II (NRII) and the response nitrogen regulator I (NRI), three global transcriptional regulators called nitrogen assimilation control (Nac) protein, leucine-responsive regulatory protein (Lrp), and cyclic AMP (cAMP) receptor protein (Crp), the glutaminases, and the nitrogen-phosphotransferase system. First, the structural and molecular knowledge on these proteins is reviewed. Thereafter, the activities of the components as they engage together in transport, metabolism, signal transduction, and transcription and their regulation are discussed. Next, old and new molecular data and physiological data are put into a common perspective on integral cellular functioning, especially with the aim of resolving counterintuitive or paradoxical processes featured in nitrogen assimilation. Finally, we articulate what still remains to be discovered and what general lessons can be learned from the vast amounts of data that are available now.

PII, the key regulator of nitrogen metabolism in the cyanobacteria

PII proteins are a protein family important to signal transduction in bacteria and plants. PII plays a critical role in regulation of carbon and nitrogen metabolism in cyanobacteria. Through conformation change and covalent modification, which are regulated by 2-oxoglutarate, PII interacts with different target proteins in response to changes of cellular energy status and carbon and nitrogen sources in cyanobacteria and regulates cellular metabolism. This article reports recent progress in PII research in cyanobacteria and discusses the mechanism of PII regulation of cellular metabolism.

The novel protein phosphatase PphA from Synechocystis PCC 6803 controls dephosphorylation of the signalling protein PII

The family of PII signal transduction proteins consists of one of the most highly conserved signalling proteins in nature. The cyanobacterial PII homologue transmits signals on the nitrogen and carbon status of the cells through phosphorylation of a seryl residue. Recently, we identified a protein phosphatase 2C (PP2C) homologue from the cyanobacterium Synechocystis PCC 6803, termed PphA, to be the cellular phospho-PII (PII-P) phosphatase. In this investigation, we characterized the enzymatic properties of PphA and investigated the regulation of its catalytic activity towards PII-P. PphA dephosphorylates phosphocasein and PII-P with similar efficiency in a strictly Mg2+- or Mn2+-dependent reaction. Low-molecular-weight phosphorylated molecules are poor substrates for PphA. Its reactivity towards PII-P, but not towards phosphocasein, is inhibited by various nucleotides, suggesting that this effect is based on specific properties of the PII protein. The inhibitory effect of ATP can be strongly enhanced by the addition of 2-oxoglutarate or oxaloacetate. At low concentrations of 2-oxoglutarate, changes in the ATP levels within the physiological range affect the degree of PII-Pase inhibition, whereas at 2-oxoglutarate levels beyond 0.1 mM, inhibition is almost complete at very low ATP levels. This suggests that PII dephosphorylation is not only sensitive to 2-oxoglutarate and oxaloacetate levels, it also integrates signals from the energy charge of the cells under specific cellular conditions.

P(II) signal transduction proteins, pivotal players in microbial nitrogen control

The P(II) family of signal transduction proteins are among the most widely distributed signal proteins in the bacterial world. First identified in 1969 as a component of the glutamine synthetase regulatory apparatus, P(II) proteins have since been recognized as playing a pivotal role in control of prokaryotic nitrogen metabolism. More recently, members of the family have been found in higher plants, where they also potentially play a role in nitrogen control. The P(II) proteins can function in the regulation of both gene transcription, by modulating the activity of regulatory proteins, and the catalytic activity of enzymes involved in nitrogen metabolism. There is also emerging evidence that they may regulate the activity of proteins required for transport of nitrogen compounds into the cell. In this review we discuss the history of the P(II) proteins, their structures and biochemistry, and their distribution and functions in prokaryotes. We survey data emerging from bacterial genome sequences and consider other likely or potential targets for control by P(II) proteins.

Characterization of the glnK-amtB operon of Azotobacter vinelandii

To determine whether in Azotobacter vinelandii the PII protein influences the regulation of nif gene expression in response to fluxes in the ammonium supply, the gene encoding PII was isolated and characterized. Its deduced translation product was highly similar to PII proteins from other organisms, with the greatest degree of relatedness being exhibited to the Escherichia coli glnK gene product. A gene designated amtB was found downstream of and was contranscribed with glnK as in E. coli. The AmtB protein is similar to functionally characterized ammonium transport proteins from a few other eukaryotes and one other prokaryote. glnK and amtB comprise an operon. Attempts to isolate a stable glnK mutant strain were unsuccessful, suggesting that glnK, like glnA, is an essential gene in A. vinelandii. amtB mutants were isolated, and although growth on limiting amounts of ammonium was similar in the mutant and wild-type strains, the mutants were unable to transport [14C]methylammonium.

Nitrogen control in bacteria

Nitrogen metabolism in prokaryotes involves the coordinated expression of a large number of enzymes concerned with both utilization of extracellular nitrogen sources and intracellular biosynthesis of nitrogen-containing compounds. The control of this expression is determined by the availability of fixed nitrogen to the cell and is effected by complex regulatory networks involving regulation at both the transcriptional and posttranslational levels. While the most detailed studies to date have been carried out with enteric bacteria, there is a considerable body of evidence to show that the nitrogen regulation (ntr) systems described in the enterics extend to many other genera. Furthermore, as the range of bacteria in which the phenomenon of nitrogen control is examined is being extended, new regulatory mechanisms are also being discovered. In this review, we have attempted to summarize recent research in prokaryotic nitrogen control; to show the ubiquity of the ntr system, at least in gram-negative organisms; and to identify those areas and groups of organisms about which there is much still to learn.