title: Characterization of the bacterial magnetosome membrane.
abstract: Intact magnetosomes of Aquaspirillum magnetotacticum were purified from broken cells by a magnetic separation technique. Electron microscopic and chemical analyses revealed the magnetite to be enclosed by a lipid bilayer admixed with proteins. Lipids were recovered in fractions expected to contain (i) neutral lipids and free fatty acids, (ii) glycolipids and sulfolipids, and (iii) phospholipids (in a weight ratio of 1:4:6). Phospholipids included phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylethanolamine. Two of the numerous proteins detected in the magnetosome membrane were not found in other cell membranes or soluble fractions.
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000032:analysis / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D052203:Ferrosoferric Oxide; D005613:Freeze Etching; D007425:Intracellular Membranes / Q000032:analysis / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D007501:Iron / Q000032:analysis*; D008055:Lipids / Q000032:analysis; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009940:Organoids / Q000032:analysis / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D010087:Oxides
chemical_list: D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D008055:Lipids; D010087:Oxides; D007501:Iron; D052203:Ferrosoferric Oxide