Iron-biomineralizing organelle in magnetotactic bacteria: function, synthesis and preservation in ancient rock samples.
- Resource Type
- Academic Journal
- Authors
- Amor M; Aix-Marseille University, CNRS, CEA, UMR7265 Institute of Biosciences and Biotechnologies of Aix-Marseille, CEA Cadarache, Saint-Paul-lez-Durance, F-13108, France.; Mathon FP; Aix-Marseille University, CNRS, CEA, UMR7265 Institute of Biosciences and Biotechnologies of Aix-Marseille, CEA Cadarache, Saint-Paul-lez-Durance, F-13108, France.; Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris, Université de Paris, CNRS, Paris, F-75005, France.; Monteil CL; Aix-Marseille University, CNRS, CEA, UMR7265 Institute of Biosciences and Biotechnologies of Aix-Marseille, CEA Cadarache, Saint-Paul-lez-Durance, F-13108, France.; Busigny V; Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris, Université de Paris, CNRS, Paris, F-75005, France.; Institut Universitaire de France, Paris, 75005, France.; Lefevre CT; Aix-Marseille University, CNRS, CEA, UMR7265 Institute of Biosciences and Biotechnologies of Aix-Marseille, CEA Cadarache, Saint-Paul-lez-Durance, F-13108, France.
- Source
- Publisher: Blackwell Science Country of Publication: England NLM ID: 100883692 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1462-2920 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 14622912 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Environ Microbiol Subsets: MEDLINE
- Subject
- Language
- English
Magnetotactic bacteria (MTB) are ubiquitous aquatic microorganisms that incorporate iron from their environment to synthesize intracellular nanoparticles of magnetite (Fe 3 O 4 ) or greigite (Fe 3 S 4 ) in a genetically controlled manner. Magnetite and greigite magnetic phases allow MTB to swim towards redox transition zones where they thrive. MTB may represent some of the oldest microorganisms capable of synthesizing minerals on Earth and have been proposed to significantly impact the iron biogeochemical cycle by immobilizing soluble iron into crystals that subsequently fossilize in sedimentary rocks. In the present article, we describe the distribution of MTB in the environment and discuss the possible function of the magnetite and greigite nanoparticles. We then provide an overview of the chemical mechanisms leading to iron mineralization in MTB. Finally, we update the methods used for the detection of MTB crystals in sedimentary rocks and present their occurrences in the geological record.
(© 2020 Society for Applied Microbiology and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)