Escherichia coli glutamine synthetase is inactivated by subtilisin. Protection against inactivation is afforded by glutamine and ammonium ions. One large fragment (Mr = 35,000) is identified by sodium dodecyl sulfate-gel electrophoresis and carries adenylylation site. Smaller quantities of two other fragments (Mr = 17,000 and 15,000, respectively) are als observed oo observed on the gel. tthe nicked protein remains dodecameric, as evidenced by electrophoresis and centrifugation. It has retained the binding properties toward ADP and Ci-bacron blue and undergoes conformation changes upon binding, as does the intact protein. It is recognized by the antiserum raised against the native enzyme. The nicked protein also remains an excellent substrate of E. coli adenylyltransferase.