Bacterial nitrogen-related phosphotransferase systems: new insights into diverse roles in virulence, physiology, and central metabolism

Nitrogen-related phosphotransferase (PTS^Ntr) systems are highly conserved and widely distributed in proteobacteria. These systems are thought to enable bacteria to sense and respond to changes in cellular carbon and nitrogen availability. The PTS^Ntr is analogous to the carbohydrate phosphotransferase systems that carry out phosphorylation and uptake of specific carbohydrates. Instead of targeting carbohydrates, the PTS^Ntr influences metabolic flux, virulence, bio