New discoveries expand possibilities for carboxysome engineering

Carboxysomes are CO2-fixing protein compartments present in all cyanobacteria and some proteobacteria. These structures are attractive candidates for carbon assimilation bioengineering because they concentrate carbon, allowing the fixation reaction to occur near its maximum rate, and because they self-assemble in diverse organisms with a set of standard biological parts. Recent discoveries have expanded our understanding of how the carboxysome assembles, distributes itself, and sustains its metabolism. These studies have already led to substantial advances in engineering the carboxysome and carbon concentrating mechanism into recombinant organisms, with an eye towards establishing the system in industrial microbes and plants. Future studies may also consider the potential of in vitro carboxysomes for both discovery and applied science.

Automated summary

Carboxysomes, CO2-fixing protein compartments found in cyanobacteria and proteobacteria, are promising candidates for carbon assimilation bioengineering due to their ability to concentrate carbon and self-assemble in various organisms. Recent studies have advanced our understanding of how carboxysomes assemble, distribute, and sustain metabolism, leading to significant progress in engineering them into recombinant organisms. Future research may explore the potential of in vitro carboxysomes for both discovery and applied science.