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The phase separation underlying the pyrenoid-based microalgal Rubisco supercharger

Author

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  • Tobias Wunder

    (Nanyang Technological University)

  • Steven Le Hung Cheng

    (Nanyang Technological University)

  • Soak-Kuan Lai

    (Nanyang Technological University)

  • Hoi-Yeung Li

    (Nanyang Technological University)

  • Oliver Mueller-Cajar

    (Nanyang Technological University)

Abstract

The slow and promiscuous properties of the CO2-fixing enzyme Rubisco constrain photosynthetic efficiency and have prompted the evolution of powerful CO2 concentrating mechanisms (CCMs). In eukaryotic microalgae a key strategy involves sequestration of the enzyme in the pyrenoid, a liquid non-membranous compartment of the chloroplast stroma. Here we show using pure components that two proteins, Rubisco and the linker protein Essential Pyrenoid Component 1 (EPYC1), are both necessary and sufficient to phase separate and form liquid droplets. The phase-separated Rubisco is functional. Droplet composition is dynamic and components rapidly exchange with the bulk solution. Heterologous and chimeric Rubiscos exhibit variability in their tendency to demix with EPYC1. The ability to dissect aspects of pyrenoid biochemistry in vitro will permit us to inform and guide synthetic biology ambitions aiming to engineer microalgal CCMs into crop plants.

Suggested Citation

  • Tobias Wunder & Steven Le Hung Cheng & Soak-Kuan Lai & Hoi-Yeung Li & Oliver Mueller-Cajar, 2018. "The phase separation underlying the pyrenoid-based microalgal Rubisco supercharger," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 9(1), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:9:y:2018:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-018-07624-w
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-07624-w
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