Biogenesis and subcellular organization of the magnetosome organelles of magnetotactic bacteria.
Bacterial cells, like their eukaryotic counterparts, are capable of constructing lipid-based organelles that carry out essential biochemical functions. The magnetosomes of magnetotactic bacteria are one such compartment that is quickly becoming a model for exploring the process of organelle biogenesis in bacteria. Magnetosomes consist of a lipid-bilayer compartment that houses a magnetic crystal. By arranging magnetosomes into chains within the cell, magnetotactic bacteria create an internal compass that is used for navigation along magnetic fields. Over the past decade, a number of studies have elucidated the possible factors involved in the formation of the magnetosome membrane and biomineralization of magnetic minerals. Here, we highlight some of these recent advances with a particular focus on the cell biology of magnetosome formation.
Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, United States.
Shannon E
SE
Greene
Arash
A
Komeili
D001419:Bacteria / Q000166:cytology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002453:Cell Cycle; D007425:Intracellular Membranes / Q000378:metabolism; D060328:Magnetic Phenomena; D055944:Magnetosomes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D021381:Protein Transport