Transcriptional activation of NtcA-dependent promoters of Synechococcus sp PCC 7942 by 2-oxoglutarate in vitro

The transcription factor NtcA is a global regulator of nitrogen homeostasis in cyanobacteria. It thus positively regulates the expression of genes related to nitrogen assimilation such as gInA (which encodes glutamine synthetase) and ntcA itself in response to nitrogen shortage or depletion. The binding of NtcA to the gInA and ntcA promoters of Synechococcus sp. PCC 7942 in vitro now has been shown to be enhanced by 2-oxoglutarate. In vitro analysis of gene transcription also revealed that the interaction of NtcA with its promoter element was not sufficient for activation of transcription, and 2-oxoglutarate was required for transcriptional initiation by NtcA. Given that the intracellular concentration of 2-oxoglutarate is inversely related to nitrogen availability, it is proposed that this metabolite functions as a signaling molecule that transmits information on cellular nitrogen status to NtcA and thereby regulates the transcription of genes related to nitrogen assimilation in cyanobacteria.