Encapsulation as a Strategy for the Design of Biological Compartmentalization. Issue 5 (27th February 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Giessen, Tobias W.; Silver, Pamela A.
• Is Part Of: Journal of molecular biology. Volume 428:Issue 5 Part B(2016:Mar. 01)
• Page Start: 916
• Page End: 927
• Publication Date: 2016-02-27
• Subjects: BMC bacterial microcompartment; encapsulation -- bacterial microcompartments -- viral capsids -- ferritins -- membrane compartments; Molecular biology -- Periodicals; Biology -- Periodicals; Biochemistry -- Periodicals; Bacteriology -- Periodicals; Molecular Biology -- Periodicals; Biochemistry -- Periodicals; Biologie moléculaire -- Périodiques; Biologie -- Périodiques; Biochimie -- Périodiques; Moleculaire biologie; Biochemistry; Biology; Molecular biology; Periodicals; 572.805
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2015.09.009
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-2836

Abstract

Abstract: Compartmentalization is one of the defining features of life. Through intracellular spatial control, cells are able to organize and regulate their metabolism. One of the most broadly used organizational principles in nature is encapsulation. Cellular processes can be encapsulated within either membrane-bound organelles or proteinaceous compartments that create distinct microenvironments optimized for a given task. Further challenges addressed through intracellular compartmentalization are toxic or volatile pathway intermediates, slow turnover rates and competing side reactions. This review highlights a selection of naturally occurring membrane- and protein-based encapsulation systems in microbes and their recent applications and emerging opportunities in synthetic biology. We focus on examples that use engineered cellular organization to control metabolic pathway flux for the production of useful compounds and materials. Graphical abstract: Highlights: Cells use intracellular compartmentalization to organize and regulate metabolism. Encapsulation in membrane- and protein-based compartments is widespread in prokaryotes. Bacterial microcompartments, viral capsids and ferritins have been used to engineer synthetic compartmentalization. Membranous prokaryotic compartments (acidocalcisomes, pirellulosomes, thylakoids and magnetosomes) represent interesting systems for future engineering efforts.