The Synechococcus Strain PCC 7942 glnN Product (Glutamine Synthetase III) Helps Recovery from Prolonged Nitrogen Chlorosis

We report the cloning and sequencing of the glnN gene encoding a class III glutamine synthetase from the cyanobacterium Synechococcus strain PCC 7942. Mapping of the transcriptional start site revealed a DNA sequence in the promoter region that resembles an imperfect NtcA binding motif. Expression of glnN is impaired in NtcA- and P(II)-deficient mutants. The only parameter which was negatively affected in the glnN mutant compared to the wild type was the recovery rate of prolonged nitrogen-starved cells with low concentrations of combined nitrogen.