<i>In Vitro</i> Analysis of Bacterial Microcompartments and Shell Protein Superstructures by Confocal Microscopy
Daniel S. Trettel, Wade C. Winkler
Abstract
Microcompartments are large, organelle-like structures that help bacteria catabolize targeted metabolites while also protecting the cytosol against highly reactive metabolic intermediates. Their protein shell self-assembles into a polyhedral structure of approximately 100 to 200 nm in diameter.
Topics & Concepts
Confocal microscopyContext (archaeology)ConfocalCharacterization (materials science)Shell (structure)In vitroMicroscopyChemistryBiophysicsElectron microscopeNanotechnologyMaterials scienceCell biologyBiologyBiochemistryPhysicsOpticsComposite materialPaleontologyBacteriophages and microbial interactionsGenomics and Phylogenetic StudiesMicrobial Community Ecology and Physiology