Carboxysomes and Carboxysome-Like Inclusions
Document Type
Book Chapter
Publication Date
1-1-2006
Department
Chemistry and Biochemistry
School
Mathematics and Natural Sciences
Abstract
Carboxysomes and related polyhedral bacterial inclusions are complex structures that are composedof a limited set of related proteins. The importance of these prokaryotic organelles as metabolicorganizers in autotrophs as well as heterotrophic bacteria is becoming much more apparent. The carboxysome,which is by far the best characterized representative of these inclusions, is found in a variety ofphylogenetically distant autotrophic bacteria and contains the central CO 2fixing enzyme, ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBisCO). The particle participates in theessential CO2 concentrating mechanism and is likely protecting RuBisCO from oxygen.By contrast, the functions of polyhedral inclusions in heterotrophic prokaryotes that have been experimentallyobserved or inferred from comparative genomic analyses are less well understood. This review summarizesthe current state of knowledge regarding structure, function and genetics of carboxysomes and related polyhedralmicrocompartments.
Publication Title
Complex Intracellular Structures In Prokaryotes
First Page
141
Last Page
165
Recommended Citation
Heinhorst, S.,
Cannon, G. C.,
Shively, J. M.
(2006). Carboxysomes and Carboxysome-Like Inclusions. Complex Intracellular Structures In Prokaryotes, 141-165.
Available at: https://aquila.usm.edu/fac_pubs/21048
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