Key gene networks that control magnetosome biomineralization in magnetotactic bacteria

A general model for gene networks that control magnetosome biogenesis and chain assembly in magnetotactic bacteria is proposed by a comparative genomic and phenomic analysis. Magnetotactic bacteria (MTB) are a group of phylogenetically and morphologically diverse prokaryotes that have the capability of sensing Earth's magnetic field via nanocrystals of magnetic iron minerals. These crystals are enclosed within intracellular membranes or organelles known as magnetosomes and enable a sensing function known as magnetotaxis. Although MTB were discovered over half a century ago, the study of the magnetosome biogenesis and organization remains limited to a few cultured MTB strains. Here, we present an integrative genomic and phenomic analysis to investigate the genetic basis of magnetosome biomineralization in both cultured and uncultured strains from phylogenetically diverse MTB groups. The magnetosome gene contents/networks of strains are correlated with magnetic particle morphology and chain configuration. We propose a general model for gene networks that control/regulate magnetosome biogenesis and chain assembly in MTB systems.

Automated summary

A general model for gene networks controlling magnetosome biogenesis and chain assembly in magnetotactic bacteria is proposed through comparative genomic and phenomic analysis. Magnetotactic bacteria (MTB) are a group of phylogenetically and morphologically diverse prokaryotes that can sense Earth's magnetic field via nanocrystals of magnetic iron minerals. The study of magnetosome biogenesis and organization in MTB has been limited to a few cultured strains, but this research presents an integrative genomic and phenomic analysis to investigate the genetic basis of magnetosome biomineralization in both cultured and uncultured strains from diverse MTB groups. The magnetosome gene contents/networks are correlated with magnetic particle morphology and chain configuration, and a general model for gene networks controlling magnetosome biogenesis and chain assembly in MTB systems is proposed.