Work

Architectural and biochemical advances in understanding microbial CO 2 concentrating mechanisms

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: SUMMARY CO 2 concentrating mechanisms (CCMs) are ubiquitous in phototrophs. They are found in the micro as well as the macro world. Different domains of life have developed strikingly different approaches to concentrate inorganic carbon around Rubisco, the most prevalent enzyme on earth. While prokaryotes have developed carboxysomes, icosahedral shell protein cages, microbial eukaryotic phototrophs such as green algae, on the other hand, have developed pyrenoids, liquid–liquid phase separated organelles. In contrast to carboxysomes and pyrenoids, which represent biophysical CCMs, some vascular plants (C4 & CAM plants) have developed biochemical ways of concentrating CO 2 around Rubisco. In this review, we discuss advances in structural, biochemical, and mechanistic understanding of microbial CCMs in the last 5–10 years.

Source: The Plant Journal

DOI: 10.1111/tpj.70913

Authors: Cornelia E. M. Flothow, Andreas M. Küffner

Institution: Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences

Language: English

Topic: Photosynthetic Processes and Mechanisms

Subfield: Molecular Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Climate action

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $5,450