Intracellular minerals and metal deposits in prokaryotes.
Thanks to the work of Terrance J. Beveridge and other pioneers in the field of metal-microbe interactions, prokaryotes are well known to sequester metals and other ions intracellularly in various forms. These forms range from poorly ordered deposits of metals to well-ordered mineral crystals. Studies on well-ordered crystalline structures have generally focused on intracellular organelles produced by magnetotactic bacteria that are ubiquitous in terrestrial and marine environments that precipitate Fe(3)O(4) or Fe(3)S(4), Fe-bearing minerals that have magnetic properties and are enclosed in intracellular membranes. In contrast, studies on less-well ordered minerals have focused on Fe-, As-, Mn-, Au-, Se- and Cd-precipitates that occur intracellularly. The biological and environmental function of these particles remains a matter of debate.
Edwards
K J
KJ
Geomicrobiology Group, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, 3616 Trousdale Parkway, Los Angeles, CA 90089-0371, USA. kje@usc.edu
Bazylinski
D A
DA
D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000032:analysis*; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008903:Minerals / Q000032:analysis*; D011387:Prokaryotic Cells / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D012988:Soil Microbiology
D019216:Metals, Heavy; D008903:Minerals