Glutamine Synthetase of some Fermentation Bacteria: Function and Application

Metabolic activity of inorganic nitrogenous compounds affects not only microbial growth but also metabolite production in fermentation technology. We have worked on the enzymes participating in ammonia assimulation of some fermentation bacteria. This paper summarizes the results on glutamine synthetase and its application in practical field. Glutamine synthetase (L-glutamate:ammonia ligase, EC. 6.3.1.2) catalyzes the formation of glutamine from glutamate and ammonia at the expense of cleavage of ATP and inorganic phosphate. The enzyme plays a dual role in nitrogen metabolism in bacteria; it is a key enzyme not only in the biosynthesis of various compounds through glutamine but also in the regulation of synthesis of some enzymes involved in the metabolism of nitrogenous compounds. The detailed works with the Eschericia coli and other enterobacterial enzymes revealed that glutamine synthetase is controlled by the following complex of mechanisms: (a) feedback inhibition by end products, (b) repression and derepression of enzyme synthesis, (c) modulation of enzyme activity in response to divalent cation and (d) covalent modification of enzyme protein by adenylylation and its cascade control. Comparative studies have also been made on the enzymes from other organisms.