The phosphorylated form of the enhancer-binding protein NTRC has an ATPase activity that is essential for activation of transcription

The NTRC protein of enteric bacteria is an enhancer-binding protein that activates transcription in response to limitation of combined nitrogen. NTRC activates transcription by catalyzing formation of open complexes by RNA polymerase (θ⁵⁴ holoenzyme form) in an ATP-dependent reaction. To catalyze open complex formation, NTRC must be phosphorylated. We show that phosphorylated NTRC has an ATPase activity, and we present biochemical and genetic evidence that NTRC must hydrolyze ATP to catalyze open complex formation. It is likely that all activators of θ⁵⁴ holoenzyme have an ATPase activity.