Introduction. The TM0096 gene from Thermotoga maritima is distributed widely among microorganisms, suggesting that it performs a function indispensable for life and/or virulence. Homologs of the TM0096 protein are found in prokaryotes as well as eukaryotes, including the pathogens Yersinia pestis, Listeria, Clostridium, and Bacillus anthracis.TM0096 belongs to the NIFR3 family of proteins, named after the nifR3 gene from Rhodobacter. The biochemical functions of NIFR3 family proteins are unclear, but limited research points to a role in nitrogen metabolism. For example, the photosynthetic purple bacteria Rhodobacter capsulatus experiences an order of magnitude increase in NIFR3 expression under limiting nitrogen conditions.
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