Cyclic AMP and anaerobic gene expression in E. coli

The expression of the fumarate reductase system of Escherichia coli is completely dependent on the presence of adenylate cyclase or cyclic AMP, but the cyclic AMP receptor protein (CRP) is not required. This suggests that cyclic AMP may function as an effector for a second gene activator protein, possibly Fnr, and thus form part of a redox-sensitive regulatory mechanism controlling the expression of anaerobic respiratory functions.