title: The role of phasins in the morphogenesis of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) granules.
abstract: Recent developments in the understanding of the structure of polyhydroxyalkanoate, PHA, granules in bacteria are documented in the literature and point to the role of structural proteins, phasins, in granule formation and stabilization. We have previously conceived a computer program which successfully simulates granule formation in vitro, in the absence of phasins. Now we are extending the computer model to a more complex system, including phasins, to quantify their anticipated effect on the granule properties. The simulation enabled us to propose real experiments to test the validity of the model and provide a framework for a better understanding of PHA granule formation in vivo.
authors.affiliation: Chemistry Department, McGill University, 3420 University Street, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3A 2A7.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Jurasek
authors.forename: R H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Marchessault
mesh_terms: D000217:Acyltransferases / Q000737:chemistry*; D018407:Bacterial Physiological Phenomena; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000737:chemistry*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D006885:Hydroxybutyrates / Q000737:chemistry*; D002479:Inclusion Bodies / Q000737:chemistry*; D037102:Lectins / Q000737:chemistry*; D037121:Plant Lectins; D011091:Polyesters / Q000737:chemistry*; D000094122:Polyhydroxybutyrates
chemical_list: D000217:Acyltransferases; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D006885:Hydroxybutyrates; D037102:Lectins; D037121:Plant Lectins; D011091:Polyesters; C008825:phasin; C003182:poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate; D000094122:Polyhydroxybutyrates; C077225:poly(3-hydroxyalkanoic acid) synthase