Biotechnological Advances in Bacterial Microcompartment Technology. Issue 3 (March 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lee, Matthew J.; Palmer, David J.; Warren, Martin J.
• Is Part Of: Trends in biotechnology. Volume 37:Issue 3(2019)
• Page Start: 325
• Page End: 336
• Publication Date: 2019-03
• Subjects: bacterial microcompartments -- metabolic engineering -- metabolism -- protein engineering -- shell -- synthetic biology; Biotechnology -- Periodicals; Biochemical engineering -- Periodicals; Genetic engineering -- Periodicals; Industrial microbiology -- Periodicals; 660.605
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2018.08.006
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0167-7799

Abstract

Abstract : Bacterial microcompartments (BMCs) represent proteinaceous macromolecular nanobioreactors that are found in a broad range of bacteria, and which are associated with either anabolic or catabolic processes. They consist of a semipermeable outer shell that packages a central metabolic enzyme or pathway, providing both enhanced flux and protection against toxic intermediates. Recombinant production of BMCs has led to their repurposing with the incorporation of altogether new pathways. Deconstructing BMCs into their component parts has shown that some individual shell proteins self-associate into filaments that can be further modified into a cytoplasmic scaffold, or cytoscaffold, to which enzymes/proteins can be targeted. BMCs therefore represent a modular system that is highly suited for engineering biological systems for useful purposes. Highlights: Bacterial microcompartments (BMCs) are widespread proteinaceous organelles consisting of a semipermeable protein shell and an encapsulated enzymatic pathway. BMCs can be divided into the anabolic carboxysomes and the catabolic metabolosomes. Targeting to organelles is facilitated by short, amphipathic, alpha helical encapsulation peptides. Heterologous enzymatic pathways can be encapsulated within empty organelles, resulting in enhanced productivity. A BMC-H-based cytoscaffold is able to significantly enhance biofuel production through enzyme colocation.