Abstract: A conserved region of sequence in bacterial microcompartment (BMC) enzymes and proteins was identified. Peptide sequences derived from this conserved region of native BMC proteins and enzymes appear to target the hexameric facets of BMC shell proteins. These peptides were predicted to share general properties of a predicted alpha helical conformation, flanked by poorly conserved segment(s) of primary structure); for each type of encapsulated protein, and for each functionally distinct BMC. These peptides can be used as targeting signals for integrating biomolecules and molecules into bacterial microcompartments or for attaching molecules or biomolecules to native or non-native bacterial microcompartment shell proteins.

Abstract: Herein is described a bacterial microcompartment catalog comprising a total of 634 gene sequences encoding bacterial microcompartments, the proteins of each can be inserted into a host organism and if needed, expressed using an inducible expression system. Disclosed are at least 32 types of gene clusters which provide microcompartments having metabolizing or other enzyme activity. The expression of these microcompartments can be used to provide or enhance an organism's carbon fixation and/or sequestration activity or biomass production or, generally speaking additional or enhanced metabolic activities to an organism.