InterPro domain: IPR027629

DevT (Alr4674) is a putative protein phosphatase from Nostoc PCC 7120 (Anabaena PCC 7120) [ 1 ]. DevT mutants form mature heterocysts, but they are unable to fix N(2) and must be supplied with a source of combined nitrogen in order to survive. Anabaena DevT shows homology to phosphatases of the PPP family and displays a Mn(2+)-dependent phosphatase activity. DevT is constitutively expressed in both vegetative cells and heterocysts, and is not regulated by NtcA. The heterocyst regulator HetR may exert a certain inhibition on the expression of devT. Under diazotrophic growth conditions, DevT protein accumulates specifically in mature heterocysts. The role that DevT plays in a late essential step of heterocyst differentiation is still unknown.

1. DevT (Alr4674), resembling a Ser/Thr protein phosphatase, is essential for heterocyst function in the cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. PCC 7120. Microbiology (Reading, Engl.) 156, 3544-55