Interaction of the membrane-bound GlnK-AmtB complex with the master regulator of nitrogen metabolism TnrA in Bacillus subtilis

P-II proteins are widespread and highly conserved signal transduction proteins occurring in bacteria, Archaea, and plants and play pivotal roles in controlling nitrogen assimilatory metabolism. This study reports on biochemical properties of the P-II-homologue GlnK (originally termed NrgB) in Bacillus subtilis (BsGlnK). Like other P-II proteins, the native BsGlnK protein has a trimeric structure and readily binds ATP in the absence of divalent cations, whereas 2-oxoglutarate is only weakly bound. In contrast to other P-II-like proteins, Mg2+ severely affects its ATP-binding properties. BsGlnK forms a tight complex with the membrane-bound ammonium transporter AmtB (NrgA), from which it can be relieved by millimolar concentrations of ATP. Immunoprecipitation and co-localization experiments identified a novel interaction between the BsGlnK-AmtB complex and the major transcription factor of nitrogen metabolism, TnrA. In vitro in the absence of ATP, TnrA is completely tethered to membrane (AmtB)-bound GlnK, whereas in extracts from BsGlnK- or AmtB-deficient cells, TnrA is entirely soluble. The presence of 4 mM ATP leads to concomitant solubilization of BsGlnK and TnrA. This ATP-dependent membrane re-localization of TnrA by BsGlnK/AmtB may present a novel mechanism to control the global nitrogen-responsive transcription regulator TnrA in B. subtilis under certain physiological conditions.