Functional characterization of three GlnB homologs in the photosynthetic bacterium Rhodospirillum rubrum: Roles in sensing ammonium and energy status

The GlnB (P-II) protein, the product of glnB, has been characterized previo usly in the photosynthetic bacterium Rhodospirillum rubrum. Here we describ e identification of two other P-II homologs in this organism, GlnK and GlnJ . Although the sequences of these three homologs are very similar, the mole cules have both distinct and overlapping functions in the cell. While GlnB is required for activation of NifA activity in R. rubrum, GlnK and GlnJ do not appear to be involved in this process. In contrast, either GlnB or GlnJ can serve as a critical element in regulation of the reversible ADP ribosy lation of dinitrogenase reductase catalyzed by the dinitrogenase reductase ADP-ribosyl transferase (DRAT)/dinitrogenase reductase-activating glycohydr olase (DRAG) regulatory system. Similarly, either GlnB or GlnJ is necessary for normal growth on a variety of minimal and rich media, and any of the p roteins is sufficient for normal posttranslational regulation of ghitamine synthetase. Surprisingly, in their regulation of the DRAT/DRAG system, GlnB and GlnJ appeared to be responsive not only to changes in nitrogen status but also to changes in energy status, revealing a new role for this family of regulators in central metabolic regulation.