Magnetotactic Bacteria as Potential Sources of Bioproducts

Marine Drugs

Ana Carolina V. Araujo²  Fernanda Abreu²  Karen Tavares Silva²  Dennis A. Bazylinski¹  Ulysses Lins² 

[1] School of Life Sciences, University of Nevada at Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV 89154-4004, USA; E-Mail:;Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Avenida Carlos Chagas Filho, 373, CCS, UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21941-902, Brazil; E-Mails:

关键词: biomineralization;    bioproducts;    genome mining;    greigite;    magnetite;    magnetosomes;    magnetotactic bacteria;    Magnetovibrio blakemorei;    nonribosomal peptide synthetase;    polyketide synthase;   

DOI  :  10.3390/md13010389

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

Magnetotactic bacteria (MTB) produce intracellular organelles called magnetosomes which are magnetic nanoparticles composed of magnetite (Fe₃O₄) or greigite (Fe₃S₄) enveloped by a lipid bilayer. The synthesis of a magnetosome is through a genetically controlled process in which the bacterium has control over the composition, direction of crystal growth, and the size and shape of the mineral crystal. As a result of this control, magnetosomes have narrow and uniform size ranges, relatively specific magnetic and crystalline properties, and an enveloping biological membrane. These features are not observed in magnetic particles produced abiotically and thus magnetosomes are of great interest in biotechnology. Most currently described MTB have been isolated from saline or brackish environments and the availability of their genomes has contributed to a better understanding and culturing of these fastidious microorganisms. Moreover, genome sequences have allowed researchers to study genes related to magnetosome production for the synthesis of magnetic particles for use in future commercial and medical applications. Here, we review the current information on the biology of MTB and apply, for the first time, a genome mining strategy on these microorganisms to search for secondary metabolite synthesis genes. More specifically, we discovered that the genome of the cultured MTB Magnetovibrio blakemorei, among other MTB, contains several metabolic pathways for the synthesis of secondary metabolites and other compounds, thereby raising the possibility of the co-production of new bioactive molecules along with magnetosomes by this species.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2015 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.