KaiA is a component of the the KaiABC oscillator complex, which constitutes the main circadian regulator in cyanobacteria [ PUBMED:28302852 ]. The kaiABC complex may act as a promoter-nonspecific transcription regulator that represses transcription, possibly by acting on the state of chromosome compaction. In the complex … expand

KaiA is a component of the the KaiABC oscillator complex, which constitutes the main circadian regulator in cyanobacteria [ PUBMED:28302852 ]. The kaiABC complex may act as a promoter-nonspecific transcription regulator that represses transcription, possibly by acting on the state of chromosome compaction. In the complex, KaiA enhances the phosphorylation status of kaiC. In contrast, the presence of kaiB in the complex decreases the phosphorylation status of kaiC, suggesting that kaiB acts by antagonising the interaction between kaiA and kaiC. The activity of KaiA activates kaiBC expression, while KaiC represses it [ PUBMED:28302852 PUBMED:17717528 PUBMED:17916691 ]. The overall fold of the KaiA monomer is that of a four-helix bundle, which forms a dimer in the known structure [ PUBMED:15071498 ]. KaiA functions as a homodimer. Each monomer is composed of three functional domains: the N-terminal amplitude-amplifier domain, the central period-adjuster domain and the C-termianl clock-oscillator domain. The N-terminal domain of KaiA, from cyanobacteria, acts as a psuedo-receiver domain, but lacks the conserved aspartyl residue required for phosphotransfer in response regulators [ PUBMED:12438647 ]. The C-terminal domain is responsible for dimer formation, binding to KaiC, enhancing KaiC phosphorylation and generating the circadian oscillations [ PUBMED:15170179 ].