algZ / fimS (PA5262, G3XCZ2) review notes

No deep-research provider was available. Literature checked by hand on 2026-11-05: cached
PMID:8790418 (abstract only; the PMC copy PMC38516 is a page scan with no extractable text),
Europe PMC searches "AlgZR" and "AlgZ AND (fimU OR twitching)", and the full-text review
PMID:24999454 (fetched with just fetch-pmid).

Name caution: the name "AlgZ" was first used for the DNA-binding protein now called AmrZ
(PA3385, e.g. PMID:16352829 "ribbon-helix-helix DNA-binding protein AlgZ (AmrZ)"). PA5262 is
the FimS sensor of Whitchurch et al. 1996, now called AlgZ/FimS. The PseudoCAP rows on PA5262
cite the FimS paper (PMID:8790418), so they are on the right gene.

Function

Membrane sensor of the AlgZR two-component system; four predicted N-terminal TM helices
PMID:24999454.
Required for twitching motility, together with AlgR [PMID:8790418 abstract: "Adjacent to algR
we have identified a sensor gene (fimS), which is also required for twitching motility."].
Atypical kinase. The H box (RPHFLFNSL) and a degenerate N box are present, but there is no
ATP lid PMID:24999454. In vitro autophosphorylation or phosphotransfer
to AlgR is not described in the review; the AlgZ-AlgR link rests on genetics and on AlgR
Asp54 phosphorylation being needed for fimU activation PMID:24999454.
Its signal is unknown PMID:24999454.

PseudoCAP IBA-seed assessment

Seeds from .cache/paint/IBD.gaf; other seeds' rows from QuickGO, 2026-11-05.

PTN node	node term	n_seeds	leaf IBAs	seed annotation (term, evidence, PMID)	verdict	rationale	other seeds	IBD stands without this seed?
PTN002531636	GO:0007165 signal transduction	3	34 (17 taxa)	GO:0000160 phosphorelay signal transduction system, IDA, PMID:8790418 (PseudoCAP)	UNVERIFIABLE	The term is right for AlgZ, a TCS sensor needed for AlgR-dependent twitching. The IDA code could not be checked: the full text is a page scan. The abstract reports identification of fimS by sequence (next to algR) and a mutant phenotype, which fits IMP/ISS better. Recorded as a SUSPECTED evidence-code defect only.	E. coli YpdA P0AA93 (IMP PMID:23222720, EcoCyc); E. coli BtsS P0AD14 (IMP and RCA PMID:22685278, EcoCyc)	Yes

The node term signal transduction is broad but suits a LytS/YpdA-type sensor clade. The IBD
stands on the two E. coli seeds; no GO_CENTRAL defect. On AlgZ the IBA row is TOO_GENERAL,
because GO:0000160 (is_a GO:0007165) is accepted.

Related node rows not seeded by AlgZ: GO:0000155 phosphorelay sensor kinase activity (IBA,
seed YpdA only) and plasma membrane (IBA). Both are accepted: the H box is conserved and the
genetics place AlgZ as AlgR's kinase, though the missing ATP lid leaves the catalytic
mechanism open (see suggested experiment).