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Updated: Apr 21, 2026
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Growing Magnetotactic Bacteria of the Genus Magnetospirillum: Strains MSR-1, AMB-1 and MS-1
Published on: October 17, 2018
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A putative greigite-type magnetosome gene cluster from the candidate phylum Latescibacteria
1Biogeomagnetism Group, Paleomagnetism and Geochronology Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Earth and Planetary Physics, Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100029, China; France-China Bio-Mineralization and Nano-Structures Laboratory, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100029, China.
Environmental Microbiology Reports
|November 11, 2014
Summary
Researchers discovered novel magnetosome genes in Latescibacteria, suggesting these bacteria can form greigite magnetosomes. This finding expands our understanding of bacterial biomineralization and iron cycling.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Genomics
- Biomineralization
Background:
- Magnetotactic bacteria (MTB) biomineralize magnetite/greigite magnetosomes using conserved magnetosome genes organized in clusters.
- Previously, MTB were only identified within Proteobacteria, Nitrospirae, and OP3 phyla.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and phylogenetic origin of magnetosome genes in uncultivated bacteria.
- To explore the potential for magnetosome formation in novel bacterial phyla.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of a draft genome from an uncultivated bacterium belonging to the Latescibacteria phylum.
- Identification and phylogenetic analysis of putative magnetosome genes homologous to known mam genes.
Main Results:
- Discovery of a magnetosome gene cluster in Latescibacteria, containing 10 genes homologous to mam genes.
- Phylogenetic analysis revealed close relationships to greigite-type magnetosome genes, suggesting an ancient origin.
- The conserved genomic structure supports horizontal gene transfer of magnetosome genes.
Conclusions:
- Some Latescibacteria members may form greigite magnetosomes, impacting environmental iron and sulfur cycles.
- The findings challenge previous assumptions about the evolutionary history and distribution of magnetosome genes.
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