Iron‐biomineralizing organelle in magnetotactic bacteria: function, synthesis and preservation in ancient rock samples
Open accessAbstract
Summary: Magnetotactic bacteria (MTB) are ubiquitous aquatic microorganisms that incorporate iron from their environment to synthesize intracellular nanoparticles of magnetite (Fe 3 O 4 ) or greigite (Fe 3 S 4 ) in a genetically controlled manner. Magnetite and greigite magnetic phases allow MTB to swim towards redox transition zones where they thrive. MTB may represent some of the oldest microorganisms capable of synthesizing minerals on Earth and have been proposed to significantly impact the iron biogeochemical cycle by immobilizing soluble iron into crystals that subsequently fossilize in sedimentary rocks. In the present article, we describe the distribution of MTB in the environment and discuss the possible function of the magnetite and greigite nanoparticles. We then provide an overview of the chemical mechanisms leading to iron mineralization in MTB. Finally, we update the methods used for the detection of MTB crystals in sedimentary rocks and present their occurrences in the geological record.
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Several bacteria incorporate iron from their environment to synthesize intracellular nanoparticles of magnetite or greigite (Fe3S4) in organelles called magnetosomes.
“Finally, in a pathway of iron biomineralization approximating asbestos body formation, several bacteria incorporate iron from their environment to synthesize intracellular nanoparticles of magnetite or greigite (Fe3S4) in organelles called magnetosomes [137,138].”
From Asbestos and Iron (2023) · cites this paper as [138]
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A critical review of mineral-microbe interaction and co-evolution: Mechanisms and applications
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“Finally, in a pathway of iron biomineralization approximating asbestos body formation, several bacteria incorporate iron from their environment to synthesize intracellular nanoparticles of magnetite or greigite (Fe3S4) in organelles called magnetosomes [137,138].”
Background
- Authors
- Amor, M., Mathon, F. P., Monteil, C. L., Busigny, V., & Lefevre, C. T.
- Affiliations
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (FR)
- Aix‐Marseille University, CNRS, CEA, UMR7265 Institute of Biosciences and Biotechnologies of Aix‐Marseille, CEA Cadarache Saint‐Paul‐lez‐Durance F‐13108 France
- Venue
- Environmental Microbiology
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2020-06-22
- Volume
- 22
- Issue
- 9
- Pages
- 3611-3632
- ISSN
- 1462-2912 (ISSN-L)
- 1462-2920
- OpenAlex
- W3029005752
- Cited by
- 98
- References
- 11
- Citations by year
- 2026: 6 · 2025: 22 · 2024: 11 · 2023: 14 · 2022: 19 · 2021: 19 · 2020: 6
- FWCI
- 1.39
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- hal.science
- Licence
- Locations
- Environmental Microbiology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- HAL (submittedVersion, other-oa)
- Funders
- Fondation pour la Recherche Médicale (ARF201909009123)
- Institut Universitaire de France (IUF#2017‐2021)
- Agence Nationale de la Recherche (ANR‐19‐CE01‐0005‐02, ANR‐18‐CE31‐0003)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Geomagnetism and Paleomagnetism Studies
- Physical Sciences › Earth and Planetary Sciences › Paleontology › Paleontology and Stratigraphy of Fossils
- Physical Sciences › Earth and Planetary Sciences › Geochemistry and Petrology › Geochemistry and Elemental Analysis
- Keywords
- magnetotactic bacteria, magnetite, greigite, iron biomineralization, Fe3O4 nanoparticles, iron biogeochemical cycle, iron immobilization, sedimentary rock, geological record, redox transition zone
- MeSH terms
- Bacteria, Iron, Sulfides, Magnetosomes, Magnetite Nanoparticles, Magnetic Phenomena
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