The amt gene cluster of the heterocyst-forming cyanobacterium Anabaena sp strain PCC 7120

The genome of the heterocyst-forming cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. strain PCC 7120 bears a gene cluster including three amt genes that, based on homology of their protein products, we designate amt4, amt1, and amtB. Expression of the three genes took place upon ammonium withdrawal in combined nitrogen-free medium and was NtcA dependent. The genes were transcribed independently, but an amt4-amt1 dicistronic transcript was also produced, and expression was highest for the amt1 gene. A mutant with the whole amt region removed could grow under laboratory conditions using ammonium, nitrate, or dinitrogen as the nitrogen source.