title: Extracellular electron transfer mechanisms between microorganisms and minerals.
abstract: Electrons can be transferred from microorganisms to multivalent metal ions that are associated with minerals and vice versa. As the microbial cell envelope is neither physically permeable to minerals nor electrically conductive, microorganisms have evolved strategies to exchange electrons with extracellular minerals. In this Review, we discuss the molecular mechanisms that underlie the ability of microorganisms to exchange electrons, such as c-type cytochromes and microbial nanowires, with extracellular minerals and with microorganisms of the same or different species. Microorganisms that have extracellular electron transfer capability can be used for biotechnological applications, including bioremediation, biomining and the production of biofuels and nanomaterials.
authors: Department of Biological Sciences and Technology, School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geoscience in Wuhan, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, China.
authors: Liang
authors: L
authors: Shi
authors: Department of Geology and Environmental Earth Science, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio 45056, USA.|State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, China.
authors: Hailiang
authors: H
authors: Dong
authors: Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48823, USA.
authors: Gemma
authors: G
authors: Reguera
authors: The Gene and Linda Voiland School of Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington 99164, USA.
authors: Haluk
authors: H
authors: Beyenal
authors: School of Space and Earth Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.
authors: Anhuai
authors: A
authors: Lu
authors: College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.
authors: Juan
authors: J
authors: Liu
authors: Department of Chemistry, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China.
authors: Han-Qing
authors: HQ
authors: Yu
authors: Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington 99352, USA.
authors: James K
authors: JK
authors: Fredrickson
mesh_terms: D001105:Archaea / Q000378:metabolism; D001419:Bacteria / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D001709:Biotechnology / Q000379:methods; D045304:Cytochromes c / Q000235:genetics; D004579:Electron Transport; D053858:Metabolic Networks and Pathways / Q000235:genetics; D008903:Minerals / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D053770:Nanowires; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction
chemical_list: D008903:Minerals; D045304:Cytochromes c