P-II indirectly controls the transcription of the GS gene (glnA). P-II prevents NR-II-catalyzed conversion of NR-I to NR-I-phosphate, the transcriptional activator of glnA. When P-II is phosphorylated, these events are reversed. In nitrogen-limiting conditions, when the ratio of Gln to 2-ketoglutarate decreases, P-II is phosphorylated which allows the deadenylation of glutamine synthetase (GS), thus activating the enzyme (By similarity). Homotrimer. Phosphorylation dependent on the nitrogen source and spectral light quality. Belongs to the P(II) protein family.