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Updated: Apr 29, 2026
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Collection, Isolation and Enrichment of Naturally Occurring Magnetotactic Bacteria from the Environment
Published on: November 15, 2012
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Multicellular magnetotactic bacteria are genetically heterogeneous consortia with metabolically differentiated cells
George A Schaible1,2, Zackary J Jay1,2,3, John Cliff4
1Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, United States of America.
Plos Biology
|July 11, 2024
Summary
Multicellular magnetotactic bacteria (MMB) consortia are not clonal and display metabolic differentiation. This study reveals their complex, multicellular lifestyle and mixotrophic sulfate-reducing capabilities.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Genomics
- Biogeochemistry
Background:
- Multicellular magnetotactic bacteria (MMB) consortia are unique microorganisms lacking a unicellular stage.
- Previous research on MMB was limited due to cultivation challenges, relying primarily on microscopy.
- Understanding MMB's complex biology and lifestyle requires advanced, culture-independent methodologies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the genomics and physiology of MMB consortia at single-cell resolution.
- To explore the genetic diversity and metabolic capabilities within MMB consortia.
- To elucidate the mechanisms behind the multicellular nature and unique lifestyle of MMB.
Main Methods:
- Sequencing of 22 individual MMB consortia metagenomes, identifying 8 new species.
- Stable isotope probing (SIP), fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), and nanoscale secondary ion mass spectrometry (NanoSIMS).
- FISH combined with bioorthogonal noncanonical amino acid tagging (BONCAT) to assess in situ activity and protein synthesis.
Main Results:
- MMB consortia are genetically diverse, with non-clonal cells within individual consortia.
- Genomic analysis revealed MMB are mixotrophic sulfate reducers with significant metabolic potential.
- In situ activity and protein synthesis varied among cells, indicating metabolic differentiation.
Conclusions:
- MMB consortia exhibit a more complex structure and physiology than previously understood.
- Metabolic differentiation within MMB consortia contributes to their unique multicellular lifestyle.
- This study provides novel insights into MMB diversity, ecology, and the evolution of multicellularity in bacteria.
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