Recent advances in studies on magnetosome-associated proteins composing the bacterial geomagnetic sensor organelle

• Published in: Microbiology and immunology Vol. 67; no. 5; p. 228
• Main Authors: Taoka, Azuma, Eguchi, Yukako, Shimoshige, Rino, Fukumori, Yoshihiro
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Australia 01.05.2023
• Subjects: Bacteria - genetics; Bacterial Proteins - metabolism; Ferrosoferric Oxide - analysis; Ferrosoferric Oxide - chemistry; Ferrosoferric Oxide - metabolism; Gram-Negative Bacteria; Magnetosomes - chemistry; Magnetosomes - metabolism; Magnetosomes - ultrastructure; iron; magnetotactic bacteria; geomagnetic field; bacterial organelle; biomineralization
• ISSN: 1348-0421
• DOI: 10.1111/1348-0421.13062

Magnetotactic bacteria (MTB) generate a membrane-enclosed subcellular compartment called magnetosome, which contains a biomineralized magnetite or greigite crystal, an inner membrane-derived lipid bilayer membrane, and a set of specifically targeted associated proteins. Magnetosomes are formed by a group of magnetosome-associated proteins encoded in a genomic region called magnetosome island. Magnetosomes are then arranged in a linear chain-like positioning, and the resulting magnetic dipole of the chain functions as a geomagnetic sensor for magneto-aerotaxis motility. Recent metagenomic analyses of environmental specimens shed light on the sizable phylogenetical diversity of uncultured MTB at the phylum level. These findings have led to a better understanding of the diversity and conservation of magnetosome-associated proteins. This review provides an overview of magnetosomes and magnetosome-associated proteins and introduces recent topics about this fascinating magnetic bacterial organelle.