The biophysical characterization of the α-carboxysome and a minimal carboxysome
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Date
2022
Authors
Turton, Kristi L.
University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Arts and Science
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Publisher
Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Dept. of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Abstract
Cells use organelles, micelles, and proteinaceous structures to compartmentalize cellular processes. Compartmentalization has the benefit of providing metabolic control, flux, and protective storage of biomaterials. Carboxysomes are proteinaceous compartments that enclose proteins and metabolites involved in the metabolism of carbon dioxide. Due to the nature and biophysical properties of the carboxysome, use in biotechnology applications is being pursued.
Using biophysical characterization methods such as size exclusion chromatography-Multi-Angle Light Scattering (SEC-MALS), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), and Analytical Ultracentrifugation (AUC), structural information of wild type carboxysomes expressed in E. coli and carboxysomes engineered to have a minimal set of proteins, known as the minimal carboxysome are obtained. AUC and TEM provided detail with respect to size and mass distributions of individual particles. Data in this thesis indicate the need for further optimization of existing carboxysome purification strategies.
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Keywords
α-carboxysome , biophysical characterization , biophysical methods , Cell compartmentation--Research , Metabolism , Cell physiology , Carbon dioxide--Metabolism , Biotechnology--Research , Dissertations , Academic