AlgR2 is an ATP/GTP-dependent protein kinase involved in alginate synthesis by Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Alginate is a major virulence factor synthesized by Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the lung of cystic fibrosis patients. Biosynthesis of this exopolysaccharide is dependent on the expression of the gene algD which encodes an enzyme essential to alginate production. Expression of this algD gene is dependent on the regulatory genes alg1 and alg2. Characterization of alg2 suggests that it encodes a kinase that undergoes autophosphorylation in the presence of either ATP or GTP. The phosphate group it has acquired is then transferred to alg1 leading to alg1 activation and algD transcription promotion resulting in alginate synthesis.